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Summary

Black Hall built in the 19th century with later alterations and additions on the site of a medieval building

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II*) 1216358: BLACK HALL

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX75NW/7
• Old Listed Building Ref (II*)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• HOUSE (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, SX75NW1 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV340731.

Black Hall on the site of Blakehall. The deeds date from about 1300. In 1638 was let for 16 pence a year. Destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1651, by one of the Fowells of Fowellscombe whose arms are on a gateway. Rebuilt again later on and the present house is in Queen Anne and Regency styles, with a wing added about 1870. There is no record that the house ever held manorial rights. The house was visited on 21st August 1951. A fine granite gateway in a modified perpendicular style with large square decorated drystones into the garden wall immediately on the east side of the house.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 1961, North Huish (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV340730.

Black Hall a country house built circa 1820 possibly by R Brown of London for Hubert Cornish on the site of an earlier house. Extended in 1881 for Frederick James Cornish Bowden. Stuccoed stone rubble, the front and right hand side have been roughcast and lined out. Hipped roof behind the parapet. Rendered stacks. To the right of centre a tent shaped cupola with a finial. Plan: Square on plan facing south; 3 rooms deep with 2 principal front rooms and a central entrance hall/passage leading to the stair well to the left of centre. There are small rooms to the right and left of the stair well and 2 larger rooms at the back, both with a slightly higher floor level to allow for the kitchen and bakehouse in the basement below which has external from the rear (north) where the ground is at a much lower level; the servants' hall is also in the basement to the right and there are cellars under the front rooms containing the dairy etc. In 1881 the house was extended on the left hand (west) side, set back from the front, probably servants' rooms with its own staircase. Exterior: 2 storeys and basement attic windows at the side only. Symmetrical 5 window front with a pair of giant pilasters at either end of only two thirds height with a Doric entablature over which there are 2 small pilasters supporting the main cornice which breaks forward over the pilasters; the blocking course rises at the centre with a rectangular panel. The windows are large early 19th century 12-pane sashes with plain cills. A wide central doorway with a glazed door and side lights, the door is flush panelled and reeded below and has margin lights above and a rectangular overlight across the top with a cast iron anthelion decorated grille. The original porch has been replaced in 20th century by an open porch with 2 pairs of Doric columns supporting an entablature. The right hand east return is 2 storeys and attic, also symmetrical 3 windows disposed towards the right (back), 19th century 12-pane sashes, attic windows are smaller 6-pane sashes, ground floor left a 19th century glazed garden door; the corners have giant pilasters, paired to the left as at the front, and a wide band at first floor cill level. The rear elevation is 2 storeys and basement not quite symmetrical as the ground slopes to the left and the first floor right hand windows are at a higher level. The first and second floor windows are 19th century 12-pane sashes, the basement sashes have 20 panes. The 1881 addition on the left hand (west) side, set back from the front, is built of yellow brick with a corbelled brick eaves cornice and a hipped slate roof with lead rolls and finials; asymmetrical arrangement of sash windows and an oriel with a step hipped roof and finial. Interior: Entrance hall/passage has an egg and dart cornice and coving to scrolled ceiling boarder; and elliptical arch with a groin vault at the end of the passage with an egg and dart archivolt key motif introdes and fluted pilasters. The passage leads to a very fine stair well, almost oval on plan, the geometric staircase has stick balusters and a moulded mahogany handrail wreathed over the curtail, and with shaped tread ends; the first stage of the stairwell has round-headed niches with egg and dart mouldings; the stairwell has an elliptical vault with moulded ribs and very pretty shallow domed lantern with an acanthus leaf boss, the entablature of the dome has an anthelion frieze, egg and dart cornice and key motif soffit frieze. Most of the interior joinery survives including mahogany 6-panel doors. The drawing room to front left has a fine cornice with deep relief palmettes, the ceiling border has leaves and flowers and the centrepiece has palmettes and large swirling acanthus leaves; a white marble chimneypiece with slender detached Ionic columns, panelled window shutters are intact. The dining room to the front right has a Victorian moulded plaster ceiling and a Victorian local grey marble chimneypiece. The back room to the left (morning room?) has a moulded plaster cornice with anthelion egg and dart and bead and reel, the centrepiece with acanthus leaves; the panelled window shutters are intact. The first floor rooms have coved ceilings and moulded cornices. The kitchen in the basement is complete with 2 large fireplaces and cupboards. Note: From the mid 17th century Black Hall was the seat of the Fowells of Fowellscombe their main seat in Ugborough parish and now in ruins. In 1815 Black Hall was sold to Hubert Cornish who built the present house, landscaped the grounds and constructed the small estate village of Avon Wick; estate cottages, houses and lodges etc are also included in this list. Other details: LBS No 101368.

Department of Environment, 1970, Totnes Rural District, 19 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV340732.

Large irregular house of several periods. The core is probably 17th century or earlier. Main block early 19th century with brick addition of the Victorian period.

Cotswold Archaeology, 2001, Fishacre to Lyneham Natural Gas Pipeline: Archaeological Fieldwalking and Field Reconnaissance Survey: Preliminary Summary, Map 6 (Report - Survey). SDV340217.

Cotswold Archaeology, 2001, Fishacre to Lyneham Natural Gas Pipeline: Cultural Heritage Assessment: Volume 1:Text, 27 (Report - Assessment). SDV340215.

Other details: Site 65.

Cotswold Archaeology, 2001, Fishacre to Lyneham Natural Gas Pipeline: Cultural Heritage Assessment: Volume 2: Constraints Maps (Report - Assessment). SDV340216.

Other details: Map 6 Site 65.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4375 - Fishacre to Lyneham Pipeline Assessment
• EDV4391 - Fishacre to Lyneham Fieldwalking Survey

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