Description

Delapre Abbey
1.
5327
SP 7559 7/138 9.12.68
II* GV
2.
The building forms a rectangle with an internal court. It is possible that some
of the structure of the original abbey building remains on the north and east sides
of this house but the older part appears C16 with a C17 west front and the south
front C18 with early c19 and later alterations. The west front has a recessed centre
of two storeys, ironstone with battlemented parapet and central projecting battlemented
porch which has an arched opening with moulded springers and architrave round arch,
and is flanked by fluted Tuscan columns on plinths supporting sections of entablature
crowned by ball finials. The sides of the porch have blocked circular windows in
moulded rectangular panels. On each side of the porch is 1 bay of 8-light mullioned
and transomed windows. To left of centre is a double gabled projection of two storeys
and attic. The inner gable slightly projecting has a convex and concave curved
outline, the outer gable is plain. Each has a 3-light stone mullioned attic window
and 2 bays below, tall C18 sashes on 1st floor, the left hand gable has similar
windows on ground floor, the right hand has 4-light stone mullioned and transomed
windows. The stonework suggests different periods of building. To right of central
part is a large two storey stuccoed early C19 'Tudoresque' projection of poor design
but with stonework of original wing remaining on half the north side in which is
1 bay of 8-light mullioned and transomed windows.
The south front with cornice and parapet and C19 balustrading has 10 bays of sash
windows plus the Tudoresque addition to left hand. The windows have architrave
surrounds and the 2 right hand bays are separated by a pilaster with a corresponding
pilaster on the right hand end. It seems likely that the house was originally
symmetrical on this front and also on west front, excluding left hand gable.
The north and east fronts have some mullioned and transomed windows and some later
windows in irregular arrangement. Internally some old doorways with four-centred
arched heads and lantern wall recesses to a corridor are in the north wing. The
corridor in which are the lantern recesses is supposed to be part of the original
cloister of the Abbey. The recesses are framed in moulded stone and are at each
end of the inner wall facing in two directions. They may be earlier than mid C16.
Considerable redecoration must have been done in Cl9. Illustrated in Old Halls
and Manor Houses of Northamptonshire by J A Gotch.

Delapre Abbey with its Stable block, Billiard Room, Garden Wall and Gateway,
Game Larder, Coach-House and Park House form a group.

Listing NGR: SP7594459085

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17545013

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

• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook 2 Books Bundle Collection (Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair,Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability)
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)