Description

MEREVALE MEREVALE PARK
SP29NE
1/136 Stable block and attached
01/11/59 forecourt walls, gatepiers and
gates at Merevale Hall
GV II*
Stable block and attached forecourt walls, gatepiers and gates. Designed
originally by Edward Blore between 1835 and 1842, but probably largely by Henry
Clutton after 1842. Regular coursed sandstone. Slate roofs have moulded cornices
and embattled parapets and gable parapets; stone internal and ridge stacks.
U-plan, adjoining Merevale Hall (q.v.), but the buildings together with walls
form a courtyard. 2 storeys; entrance front of 3-1-1-1-3 bays. High splay
plinth, buttresses and angle buttresses. Projecting central bay has large angle
piers and chamfered segmental arch on paired large shield corbels. Coped gable
parapet has embattled kneelers with ball finials. Within the outer arch is a
large chamfered and moulded arch, with shaped shield panel and 2 small lights
above. Segmental arched studded and panelled gates. Plastered 4-centred vault
has moulded stone ribs. Flanking bays have small 2-light chamfered mullioned
windows, with transoms to ground floor. Embattled internal stacks in angles.
Outer 3 bays are set back, and have blind slit windows. On the left return side
the site falls away steeply. The rear wing has a 2-tier 13-bay arcade, mostly
blind, of segmental-pointed arches to the building and the retaining wall below.
Right return side has 2 ground-floor cross-windows and a window above. Rear wing
of 9 bays with buttresses and blind slit windows to the forecourt. To the
courtyard above the archway is a trefoiled arched panel with coat of arms and
small adjoining lights. Small square embattled clock tower to left, of 3 stages
with moulded string courses. Ground floor has slit window; second stage has
2-light window with hood mould continued as string course to left; top stage has
clock face in square panel with hood mould surround and head stops. To left is a
slightly projecting doorway with chamfered jambs, corbelling and segmental
pointed arch. Windows to left and above. Buttress to right of arch. Chamfered
segmental pointed arched doorway with plank door. Single light to right, and
2-light casement above. Windows throughout have chamfered surrounds and many
glazing bars. Left wing is coach houses. Right wing has varied openings, some
altered. Interiors not inspected. Attached forecourt walls of varying heights
have stone coping. Chamfered gatepiers with ball finials. Large cast iron gates
have armorial cartouches. Large gatepier to right has chamfered angle piers,
halved Ionic capitals, and lantern. Low wall at right angles to rear extends to
gateway with moulded Tudor arch in straight head with sunk spandrels, iron gate
and coped top. Forecourt wail runs from this gateway back to the porch of the
house.
(Merevale gardens are included in HBMCE Register of Parks and Gardens at grade
II; Mark Girouard: 'Merevale Hall' Country Life; 13th and 20th March 1969,
pp598-60, and 662-665; Mark Girouard: The Victorian Country House; pp65-67)

Listing NGR: SP2953397289

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17550595

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

• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)