Description

The following building shall be added to the list;
SK 80 NE OAKHAM ASHWELL ROAD

1/10003 Catmose Vale Hospital,
attached boundary wall
and two outbuildings
to north-west

II
Hospital, formerly workhouse, attached outbuildings and boundary wall.
1836-7, by W J Donthorne, with C20 alterations and additions. Coursed
ironstone, with ashlar limestone dressings, quoined corners and
openings and coped gables, with exaggerated kneelers. Ashlar, and
brick ridge stacks, and a blue slate roof. 'E' plan main range,
advanced entranceblock, linked by recesssed spine cross-range to
flanking advanced wings which enclose small courtyards on either side
of entrance block. This block is extended westwards, to separate into
two yards. The area enclosed by a boundary wall joined to the outer
walls of the flanking wings, and attached to, or incorporating
ancilliary outbuildings.
East elevation symmetrical 1.4.3.4.1 bays. Entrance block of 3 bays,
gabled, and originally with bellcote, now removed. 3 storeyed central
bay, dominated by full height mullioned and transomed panel
incorporating ground floor entry with C20 double doors, and flanking
single lights. Above, stacked first and second floor five light
windows, with blind mullioned stone storey panels between floors, the
mullions continuous from ground to second floor. Exaggerated hood
mould to second floor reduces window width to three lights above
second floor transoms. Doorway with C20 half-glazed doors, within
splayed ashlar returns to window cills. Plinth mould links with cill
and extends around front and side walls of narrow flanking service
bays of two storeys, with shallow parapet above string course which
links with hood mould to central bay. Single light windows to half
landing levels of service bays. Two storey spine range extends to
either side of entrance block with canted three storey link
incorporating tudor arched doorways with flanking lights at angles of
adjoining ranges. Two light first floor windows, and single storey
second floor openings. Four bay, two storey spine ranges with ovolo-
moulded two-light mullion and transom windows to ground floor, and two
light mullioned first floor windows below shallow gabled dormers.
Gabled wings to ends are of three bays, with an off-centredoorway to
each inner wall, with moulded surrounds and tudor arched heads.
Ground floor mullion and transom windows of three lights, first floor
openings of two and three lights, within shallow dormers. East facing
gables with three light mullion and transom windows to ground floors,
two light mullion windows to first floor, and breather-like vents to
attic. Eared surrounds to all window openings.
West elevation of spine range, and projecting central extension to
entrance block with quoined surrounds to windows, many now with C20
joinery. Two storey canted link walls with tudor arched doorways. Tall
ground floor openings to central extension, which is linked to
boundary wall, incorporating a three bay single storey outbuilding to
the centre of the western part of the wall. To the north-west of this
building a five bay single storey outbuilding extends eastwards
towards the spine range.
Interior. Plain and functional, reflecting the original purpose of the
building, but largely unaltered in spatial terms, with the distinction
between communal areas and smaller quarters still in evidence. Plain
boarded doors, staircases, link corridors and some hearths survive.
An early example of a post 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act work house, the
first generation of which displayed a preference for severe Tudor or
Elizabethan styles.

Listing NGR: SK8621209371

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26544644

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  [(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)
• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)