House shown to SE of church in 1774, with an avenue of trees running southwards. (1)
Built about the year 1650. (2)
About 30 years ago it was the fate of the Editor to visit this mansion of his ancestors … He found there a house, of which he has the drawing, large, handsome, lofty and convenient, and though but little ornamented, possessing all the grace that size and symmetry could give it. The entrance was by a flight of handsome steps, into a large hall, occupying entirely the centre of the house, lighted at the entrance by two large windows, but at the further end by one much larger, in the extent of which was carried up a staircase that seemed to be perfectly in the air. On one side of the hall was a long table, on the other, a large fire-place … On the right side of this hall were three handsome rooms for the entertainment of guests. The sides of the staircase and galleries were hung with pictures, and both served as an orchestra either to the hall or to a large room over part of it, which was a ball-room. To the left of the hall were the rooms commonly occupied by the family. All parts were built so substantially, and so well secured, that neither fire nor thieves could penetrate from room to room, nor from one flight of stairs to another, if ever so little resisted. (3)
Although Julius Hutchinson is adamant that the story that Col. Hutchinson went into hiding in the house and was captured on his way back from church is untrue, he states 'But that there was an apartment so adapted for concealment, security and convenience, as that he might have made a long residence in it without being discovered, the Editor had ocular demonstration'. (3) (4)
Engraving of house, said to be Early C19, could perhaps be that mentioned in (3). (5)
The Hall at Owthorpe stood close to the church. A number of mounds and fragments of old brick wall mark the site. An early C19 description (3) of the Hall before its demolition describes it as a large hall with a staircase to a gallery and ballroom above. On the E of the house was a terrace and a bowling green or lawn. (6)
Owthorpe Hall built by Col Hutchinson (died 1663) was dismantled in 1825. Traces of the foundations are clearly visible in hot months. An avenue of trees is still to be seen. (7)
There are now no traces of the hall in the rough pasture field to the S of the church. The approx site (as above) was indicated on the OS 6in by HO Houldsworth and confirmed verbally by Mr F Stubbs of Appletree Farm, who has seen parching of the foundations in very dry weather. No evidence of the avenue of trees could be found. (8)
The site of the Hall is not discernable. (9)
Linear banks, hollows, terraced areas and a well to the south of the churchyard. (10)
See L8015 for finds, M885 for ponds and decoy, L845 for ponds and M8974 for gateway between house and churchyard.

<1> Chapman J, 1774, Nottinghamshire - approx 1in (Map). SNT550.

<2> Throsby J, 1790, Thoroton's History of Notts Vol 1, p 160 (Published document). SNT1345.

<3> Hutchinson J (ed.), 1806, Lucy Hutchinson: Memoirs of the Life of Colonel Hutchinson, pp 331-3, footnote i (Monograph). SNT1478.

<4> Baddeley V, 2000, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT1464.

<5> Sutherland J (ed.), 1973, Lucy Hutchinson: Memoirs of the Life of Colonel Hutchinson, p 147 (Sketch opp.) (Monograph). SNT1479.

<6> Firth JB, 1916, Highways and Byways of Notts, pp 84- (Published document). SNT689.

<7> Thoroton Society, 1931, TTS, p 38 (Published document). SNT351.

<8> Harper FR, 1960, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT746.

<9> OS, Air photos (Aerial photograph). SNT983.

Other Refs: 68/028 084-5

<10> TPAT, 1995, Village Earthwork Survey II (Published document). SNT1360.

<11> Jones PE, 2006, Lost Houses of Nottinghamshire, pp 44-45 (Monograph). SNT1893.