Former Stables

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A 3 pile stone built, slated, 1½ storey building with part basement gabled, with single chimney stack. This is a former stable block converted to educational use. The S. elevation has 3 gables, that to the W. has 2 vertical windows 3 pane, 2 opening vents at ground floor, centrally above a door under the barge apex with a metal spiral stair giving access to it. The middle gable has 2 coupled tall vertical windows with 5 panes and 2 opening vents, the E. gable is unaltered and the spiral stairway was located internally. There is a window instead of a door under the gable apex.

The building is 5 bays long, W. elevation has central projecting and gabled porch.

On each side 2 pair of vertical windows with 3 panes each and 2 opening vents. Above 4 gabled and slated dormers over the eaves line. Formerly there were brick trimmed oculii on this façade but they have been built up in stone.

The E. side is 2½ storeys high. The lower floor was formerly coach house with brick trimmed gateway and windows. On the first floor the windows are similar to the W. side and the dormers likewise.

The N gables have a series of vomitories or covered corridor connecting links joining onto them in an almost confused fashion as they attempt to negotiate the level changes.

The roofs are natural slates and there is one chimney stack. Patent roof glazing provides daylight to the inner pile.

The walls are built of random rubble stonework of the schist variety.

Historical information

The stable block appears to contemporary with the house and is therefore of 1885. The stables were converted to classrooms after the college was moved here in 1932.

References

Primary Sources:
1. Present Owner

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A substantial stone building of late 19th cent. construction without any architectural pretensions.