Coach-house and Stables to NE of Hartsheath

Cadw's description

Location

Situated in the landscape park, at end of track to NE of Hartsheath Hall.

History

Built in 1825 to the designs of Charles James Mathews as part of his improvements on the Hartsheath Estate for the Welsh Iron and Coal Mining Company. An extremely elegant building it is highly likely that the stables were constructed not only as a functional building but were also intended as an ornament within the landscape park. It is possible that the central block of the stables dates from an earlier building phase and that Mathews added the colonnade and flanking pavilions.

Exterior

L-shaped range of buildings; the range to the E being a separate later Saw Mill and cottage. Split-level stables of one and two storeys, stone with moulded stone eaves cornice and slate hipped roofs. E, front, elevation consists of central stone rubble stables fronted by 9-bay, open Greek Doric Colonnade of massive stuccoed shafts with brown stone capital mouldings. Colonnade floor of pebble sets; rear wall of coloured washed rubble. Each end of the colonnade is terminated by a higher flanking pavilion. That to the left containing the coach house, that to the right loose boxes. The end pavilions are faced partly in dressed stone; hipped slate roofs; 2 arched recesses in each front wall; in the return wall of the S pavilion there 2 more arched recesses with doors and stone blocked tympana. W, rear elevation with various windows including to upper floor a number of wooden barred openings. Stone bridge gives access to upper floor entry at S end. Range of 4 pigsties attached to yard elevation of E range.

Interior

Number of later C19 loose boxes, with iron wall feeders. 1 stall contains early C19 wooden screen with 3 arches defining individual stalls probably for hunters. Access to heated accommodation in upper floor via wooden staircase.

Reason for designation

Listed grade II* as a very good example of an architecturally distinguished and well preserved stable complex and for group value with Hartsheath Hall.