Description

PISHIOBURY DRIVE
1.
5253
(East End)
Stable Block on S
side of upper
courtyard at
Pishiobury Park
TL 480 133:6/31 6.6.52
II* GV
2.
Late C16, probably 1580-90 as stables to brick courtyard house of Sir Walter
Mildmay to N. Very long old red brick stable block parallel to house but
set across the slope with access from upper courtyard to N. 2 storeys with
plinth, projecting band of 3 courses about 1st floor level rising to a
blunt point over each Gd floor window. Projecting eaves courses with top
course carried on alternate projecting headers. Gable parapet with axed
brick corbelled kneelers. Brick on edge raking coping to gable parapet at
W end but half round coping over tile course at E end. Steep pitched roof
covered in concrete tiles with C18 central wooden cupola. Original 1st
floor window on N side is 2 light ovolo moulded timber mullioned window
recessed 1" from outer face. Window spacing disregards that of roof
principals. Single storey C17/C18 brick extension on E end with hipped
queen strut roof. W gable shows blocked window opening central on 1st floor
with small blind circular recess above. Inserted gable chimneys. All the
floor beams are concealed by later casing. In W part, a wide straight
staircase mounts to 1st floor and the original roof structure has corresponding
close set trusses over. The 1st floor was originally open to the splendid
roof of oak ogee arched braced trusses with upper collars, butt purlins,
strainer purlins at half bay spans and flat laid rafters tenoned into the
single purlin on each slope. The roof shows evidence of being plastered
up the slopes and under the main collars. The roof is designed to carry a
central louvre or flèche in the position of the C18 cupola. A ceiling has
been inserted with chamfered and ogee stopped cross-beams presumably C17.
Short rear C18 red brick extension as coach house under 3 parallel
hipped slate roofs. C18 mounting block near end of N side with 3 Portland
stone steps up to landing. C18 central cupola in 3 stages. Base of slate
hanging in white wooden surround topped by broad cove painted white. Middle
stage square with corner pilasters and full entablature. Large clock faces
to N, E and W, blank black area on S. Upper stage a circular lantern with
6 free standing Doric columns having square abaci supporting a dentilled
entablature and low lead covered dome. A large bronze bell is hung from
the underside of the dome. A graceful centre piece to a remarkable
building. The original usage seems to have been stabling on the Gd floor
with lodgings on the 1st floor in 2 large dormitories with superior
accommodation at each end beyond a staircase. Attached to the NW corner
of the stable block and running N is the high red brick screen wall to the
upper courtyard with a gateway flanked by piers. Wall in irregular header
bond possibly contemporary with stable block. Gate piers probably C18 with
projecting plinth and gate rebate inside. White stone ball finials on
elaborate square moulded caps. The building is the principal survivor of
the 1580-90 building period at Pishiobury and retains much of its original
construction, design and character. (RCHM (1911) 203-4: Pevsner 2nd Rev
Ed (1977) 271).

Listing NGR: TL4803513379

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17553817

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

• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)