Building record 1298/5/1 - North Stable Block, Tatton Hall Stables

<1> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 3/93; SJ7481 (Report). SCH1934.

Late 18th century stable block (north) by Samuel Wyatt. Red English garden wall bond brick, stone dressings, slate roof. Central 2-storeyed bay and two 2-storeyed end bays with one-storeyed connecting ranges.South façade: stone base. Stone band between floors becoming a wall capping of beed moulded profile over the single storey ranges. Central projecting 3-bay pavillion with 2 pediments over lateral bays; stone dressings of cyma profile. The central bay is recessed slightly with the ground floor open to the court being originally a through driveway to the rear but now forming a lobby. Immediately above is a lunette window. On the ridge is a square wooden 4-faced clock stage surmounted by a bellcote with arched openings, pyramidal roof and weather vane.

<2> English Heritage, 2001, Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest (Report). SCH2822.

This was the third stable block to be built for the hall and is situated north-east of the mansion. The main block of single storey was stables separated by an archway with accommodation above and surmounted by a wooden dovecote and clock, and blocks of double height at its western and eastern ends. All the stable buildings have been altered by Cheshire County Council, the main block to provide a restaurant and shop, and until recently, toilets. When the stable block was built it had an adjoining dung yard which was gradually extended as a farmyard with hay barns, pig coats, a dairy, a slaughter house, and cow sheds. This was demolished in 1961 to form a coach park but recently new brick buildings have been erected in a style reminiscent of the utilitarian buildings which occupied the site.

<3> Parklands Consortium Ltd, 2002, Tatton Park Survey, Knutsford, Cheshire: Historic Landscape Appraisal. Volume 1, 2.6.1.3. (Report). SCH4977.

<4> Miln J, 2001, Tatton Park: Archaeological Survey (Mercia Region), p.79 (Report). SCH4955.

<5> Matrix Archaeology, 2016, The Stable Yard, Tatton Park, Cheshire: Historic Building Recording: DRAFT, R4159 (Client Report). SCH8460.

Detailed building assessment undertaken in 2016 for buildings of the stable yard in Tatton Park, including the North Stables. The study also included a topographic survey extending across an area of some 2.56 hectares, including land to the north and west of the buildings. A detailed record of the buildings was produced, both by drawn and photographic means, along with a textual description of features.

<6> Purcell, 2018, Tatton Park Stableyard and Car Park Project Heritage Impact Assessment, R4283 (Client Report). SCH8651.

A heritage statement and impact assessment was produced in 2018 for the Tatton Park stable complex. The development proposals include a new arrival building within the southern end of the Coach Park, a new building within the Stable yard and improved landscaping and improved visitor facilities in the New Barn and Stable Building. This heritage statement follows on from a detailed building survey undertaken in 2016 (see ECH 6539) which recorded the stable buildings, including the North Stable block, also a series of archaeological trial trenches excavated in the western half of the stable yard in 2018 (see ECH 6556). The study looks at the historical development of the site and the impact the new proposals may have.

The North Stable is the main stable building, designed in circa 1774 by Samuel Wyatt, but not built until 1785. It is a typical Wyatt design in brick and, externally, is still a good example of its type and is of high significance. Internally, the building has undergone considerable change in the 1960s when it was converted to a restaurant and shops, which removed many original internal features. However, six of the original cast iron mangers are still in situ and have recently been restored. Further evidence of former mangers and original timber tongue and groove panelling are evident outside the Tuckshop, at the far end of the building.