Coach-house Range at Soughton Hall

Cadw's description

Location

In a tree-lined enclosure to the SW of the house and attached to the stable block at the SE corner. Tall rubble retaining wall to N, beyond which are formal gardens.

History

Soughton Hall was first built c1727 for the Conway family and was in Baroque style. It was fitted out after 1732 for the Rev John Wynne, Bishop of St Asaph (1714-1727) and subsequently Bath & Wells. His daughter married Henry Bankes of Kingston Lacy, Dorset, and the hall remained in the ownership of the Bankes family until the 1980s (it is now a hotel). The house was remodelled several times in the C19, including major work in the 1820s by William John Bankes and the architect, Sir Charles Barry. In 1868, Soughton Hall was extensively remodelled by John Douglas, architect of Chester, for John Scott Bankes.

Early Georgian coach-house, probably mid-C18 and contemporary with the stable block, but possibly c1727 and built for the Conway family. Extended to S by 1870 to connect with stables.

Exterior

Square block in red brick with freestone dressings including banded quoins. Two-storey 3-bay front with pediment facing E. Parapets behind pediment and complex hipped slate roof, formerly surmounted by a glazed lantern containing a pigeon loft. Three depressed carriage arches with rusticated jambs and keyblocks containing double boarded doors. A narrow beam above the keyblocks supported an added canopy, now removed. Three oculi to upper storey in plain stone surrounds containing quarry glazing. Semi-circular blind opening to centre of pediment, which has a heavily moulded cornice. The C19 addition to the L is of red brick under a hipped slate roof with plain stone eaves cornice. Central shouldered stone doorcase with bolection moulding (reused?) containing a boarded door. Window above with yellow brick round-arched head and radial glazing. Small oculus to 1st floor R.

The parapets continue around the early Georgian block on a heavily moulded string course. No openings to N side; W side has small 2-light window under a segmental brick head to L of upper storey. Small brick gabled addition below. Brick stacks behind parapets. The C19 block continues to the R with a lateral brick stack. Central doorway blocked in brick, and small opening to top L, both with segmental brick heads. Small vents to this elevation. The S end of this block has a half-hipped roof and has undergone alterations; narrowed doorway offset to L with cambered brick head and boarded door, butt joint of former opening to R, and lintel of another opening to far R. Three upper storey windows as front, under round-arched yellow brick heads, and with margin glazing.

Interior

No access to interior at time of inspection.

Reason for designation

Listed grade II* as an early Georgian coach-house, which is one of the earliest buildings at Soughton Hall.

Group value with Soughton Hall, stable block and associated items.