Details
ST 77 NW DYRHAM AND HINTON C.P. DYRHAM PARK
5/158 Stable Block attached to south of
Dyrham House
G.V.
I
Stable block. 1698, to designs by William Talman, probably largely supervised by
Edward Wilcox, foreman; garret storey removed C19. West elevation in very fine
coursed freestone, stone dressings, rubble to east, slate roofs with weathered
ridge stacks. Built around 2 courtyards. West elevation of tall single storey,
15 bays, central 3 bays and small outer pavilions broken forward; central high
carriage entry (opening to south courtyard) with heavy triple keystone, Tuscan
column to each side (cylindrical without entasis), recessed stone cross window to
each side with flat mullion and transom, outer pilaster, these without entablature,
one supporting a thin cornice and pediment, with the central part of the pediment
broken forward over the 2 columns. To each side a 5-bay range with similar
windows, cornice and small gabled dormer to right and left, re-roofed 1845-60,
shallower, former garret storey around whole block contained staff quarters. At
each end a small pavilion, central door in moulded architrave, (blocked with
2-light casement inserted to left) and oculus in moulded surround above, pilaster
to each side of pavilion and segmental pediment over. East elevation of 2
storeys, 8:3:8 bays, central 3 bays forming cross wing between 2 courtyards; all
windows 2-light casements, recessed with square mullions and leaded lights,
2 doors to left, plinth and string course above lintels of ground floor windows,
deep eaves cornice; to left of central cross wing, tall round-headed carriage
entry, repeating entry to west, above western carriage entry a wooden cupola with
Doric columns to each corner, ogee dome, bell and weathervane. Central 3 bays
have blind windows, and 3 at ground floor right also blind; to right, double
panelled doors with overlight and Tuscan portico, block above raised to 3 storeys
in same style 1845-60. Inside south courtyard, west range has 3 windows at first
floor, central one blocked, large cart entry; north range has 5 windows at first
floor and 4 at ground floor, central segmental-headed opening leading to north
courtyard; south range has 3 windows at first floor and clock, C20 garage doors;
east range has 4 windows at first floor and 2 at ground floor, door to left.
Inside north courtyard, 2 storeys, 4 windows to east. 3 to north and 5 to south,
windows to north 2-light casements with ovolo mullions of C19. Interior: formerly
contained stabling, nurseries, kitchens and offices, brewery, laundry, coach
houses and rooms for staff. Dairy in central wing has blue and sepia Delft tiles
on walls, marble shelves to each side on Tuscan columns and cornice, central stone
fountain (formerly in courtyard) with square base, moulded stem, large circular
bowl and finial to central stem. Front corridor has niche with head for
waterspout and basin with C19 taps in line with route of former cascade from east
to west in gardens. Former kitchen in east range has large bolection-moulded
fireplace with keystone, room open to full height of building with eagle in
ceiling supporting C19 lantern, room later used as hall for collecting rents from
tenants. (Sources: Verey, D. : Buildings of England Gloucestershire : The
Cotswolds. 1970. Kenworthy-Browne, J. : Dyrham Park. 1983. Country Life 14,
434-441, XL 546-552, CXXXI 335-339 and CXXXI 396-399).
Listing NGR: ST7415275729
