Description

SP 19 NW SUTTON COLDFIELD MOOR HALL ROAD

2/10019 Cock Pit and Garden Feature
at Moor Hall

II

Part of a former cock pit or bear pit, said to be of c.1750, altered to a sunken garden, presumably in the late C19. Of the cock pit there remain two stretches of red, random rubble sandstone walls forming a circle c.20 metres across, and varying in height from c.4 metres to c.1 metre with the slope of the ground, and having a segmental-arched alcove and a pair of buttresses on their north side, flanking the later steps. The circle can be entered from raised ground to the north, down a double flight of steps, or from the south through a Classical arch. The steps run up either side of a circular pool, with inner flanking walls which meet above the pool, forming a segmental arch over it; the underside of the arch and the wall at the back of the pool are encrusted with porous stone, perhaps tufa; above the steps is a short covered way, of timber framing resting on flanking walls and roofed with tiles, rather like a lychgate. The arch to the south may have been introduced from elsewhere; it is treated as a triumphal arch on both sides, having impost, simple archivolt and keystone, flanked by pairs of rusticated Doric pilasters, between each of which is a round-arched niche with a square window over having transoms in the form of an 'X' cornice and parapet; the inside of the arch is encrusted with porous stone.

Listing NGR: SP1294498387

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26319986

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)