Description

The following building shall be added to the list; SK 80 NE OAKHAM ASHWELL ROAD

1/10003 Catmose Vale Hospital, attached boundary wall and two outbuildings to north-west

II Hospital, formerly workhouse, attached outbuildings and boundary wall. 1836-7, by W J Donthorne, with C20 alterations and additions. Coursed ironstone, with ashlar limestone dressings, quoined corners and openings and coped gables, with exaggerated kneelers. Ashlar, and brick ridge stacks, and a blue slate roof. 'E' plan main range, advanced entranceblock, linked by recesssed spine cross-range to flanking advanced wings which enclose small courtyards on either side of entrance block. This block is extended westwards, to separate into two yards. The area enclosed by a boundary wall joined to the outer walls of the flanking wings, and attached to, or incorporating ancilliary outbuildings. East elevation symmetrical 1.4.3.4.1 bays. Entrance block of 3 bays, gabled, and originally with bellcote, now removed. 3 storeyed central bay, dominated by full height mullioned and transomed panel incorporating ground floor entry with C20 double doors, and flanking single lights. Above, stacked first and second floor five light windows, with blind mullioned stone storey panels between floors, the mullions continuous from ground to second floor. Exaggerated hood mould to second floor reduces window width to three lights above second floor transoms. Doorway with C20 half-glazed doors, within splayed ashlar returns to window cills. Plinth mould links with cill and extends around front and side walls of narrow flanking service bays of two storeys, with shallow parapet above string course which links with hood mould to central bay. Single light windows to half landing levels of service bays. Two storey spine range extends to either side of entrance block with canted three storey link incorporating tudor arched doorways with flanking lights at angles of adjoining ranges. Two light first floor windows, and single storey second floor openings. Four bay, two storey spine ranges with ovolo- moulded two-light mullion and transom windows to ground floor, and two light mullioned first floor windows below shallow gabled dormers. Gabled wings to ends are of three bays, with an off-centredoorway to each inner wall, with moulded surrounds and tudor arched heads. Ground floor mullion and transom windows of three lights, first floor openings of two and three lights, within shallow dormers. East facing gables with three light mullion and transom windows to ground floors, two light mullion windows to first floor, and breather-like vents to attic. Eared surrounds to all window openings. West elevation of spine range, and projecting central extension to entrance block with quoined surrounds to windows, many now with C20 joinery. Two storey canted link walls with tudor arched doorways. Tall ground floor openings to central extension, which is linked to boundary wall, incorporating a three bay single storey outbuilding to the centre of the western part of the wall. To the north-west of this building a five bay single storey outbuilding extends eastwards towards the spine range. Interior. Plain and functional, reflecting the original purpose of the building, but largely unaltered in spatial terms, with the distinction between communal areas and smaller quarters still in evidence. Plain boarded doors, staircases, link corridors and some hearths survive. An early example of a post 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act work house, the first generation of which displayed a preference for severe Tudor or Elizabethan styles.

Listing NGR: SK8621209371

External Links

• Wikidata Q26544644

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Recommended Books

• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)