Former Kennels at Greystones

Cadw's description

Location

Located approximately 1.7km S of Leighton church, on S side of a minor road E of B4388. The kennels stand SE of Greystones and is built against a boundary wall to the E.

History

Built 1860s or 1870s probably by the Liverpool architect W.H. Gee, and designed as part of a visual group with the nearby Leighton Hall Stables. The kennels was an integral part of the Leighton Estate, acquired by Naylor in 1846-47, who then embarked on an ambitious programme of building, principally Leighton Hall, church and Farm, which was largely completed by the mid 1850s. He continued to extend and improve the Estate until his death in 1889. His grandson, Captain J.M. Naylor, sold the Estate in 1931. The former kennels has been used as a shed and garage since the building of Greystones c1980.

Exterior

Consisting of a single-storey range with central cross-gable. Of a purple-coloured brick with rock-faced dressings, coped gables on moulded kneelers, and slate roof. The gables have fleur de lys finials incorporating John Naylor's monogram (ICN) in relief. On the ridge are 3 polygonal lead vents (now boarded) with swept roofs. The cross-gable has a doorway with rock-faced lintel, and a boarded overlight but no door. In the attic is a small sash window in a stone surround. To R of cross-gable are 2 doorways similar to that of cross-gable, which have boarded doors incorporating small hatches, and overlights. To L of cross-gable is one similar door (and an inserted projection for garage). The gable ends have attic windows similar to cross-gable (L gable also has integral lean-to with modern openings). To the rear are 5 windows with small sashes above a rubble stone boundary wall. (A brick S wing is a lean-to against the boundary wall. It has 2 doorways with stone surrounds to the front, and 2 sash windows to the rear, but is otherwise mostly rebuilt.)

Interior

Not accessible at the time of inspection (November 1996 to January 1997).

Reason for designation

The Leighton Estate is an exceptional example of high-Victorian estate development. It is remarkable for the scale and ambition of its conception and planning, the consistency of its design, the extent of its survival, and is the most complete example of its type in Wales. The former Kennels at Greystones is an important element of this whole ensemble at Leighton. Notwithstanding alterations, it retains original character and gothic detailing typical of the Leighton Estate, and is part of an important visual group including Leighton Hall Stables.