Watnall Hall. A fine brick building of c.1690 or 1700. (1)
The main block, of H-plan, has an entrance elevation of 8 bays with a modillion cornice and pitched, hipped roof. The E elevation has projecting wings with a main doorway having attached columns and a segmental pediment. These elevations are of 1690-1700 date. The N elevation appears to belong to an early C17 building and contains mullioned and transomed windows, an early type of sash-window and later mid C18 sash-windows. (2)
The buildings are to be demolished in 1961. Detailed description. (3)
The house was in existence by 1620 … rebuilt c.1690. … a service wing, projecting west, was built across the south ends of the two ranges in the first half of C18 and subsequently added to … C19 a porch was added to the east front, a bay added on the west side and the yard between the west ends of the main range partially filled in. … the Hall was demolished in 1962 … in 1972 a private housing estate was built on the site. (4)
See M8787 for barn.

[SK 4993 4602] Watnall Hall [T.I.] (7)

'Watnall Hall. A fine brick building of c. 1690 or 1700, ...
The iron gates towards the road ... attributed to Huntingdon
Shaw, ...' (1660-1710). (1)

Portions of Watnall Hall, built of brick, 'were built in the
reigns of ... Henry the Eighth, Elizabeth and Anne.' The
Rolleston family have occupied the house since 1620. (4)

The main block, of H-plan, has an extrance elevation of eight
bays with a modillion comice and pitched, hipped roof. The
eastern elevation has projecting wings with a main doorway having
attached columns and a segmental pediment. These elevations are
of 1690-1700 date.

The north elevation appears to belong to an early 17th c.
Building and contains mullioned and transomed windows, an
early type of sash-window and later mid-18th c. sash-windows.

The western wing, of domestic offices, may be slightly later or
an earlier building much altered.

That there was an earlier house on the site seems certain as
at least one bedroom is completely panelled in mid-16th c.
Panelling.

Among the outbuildings is a large mid-15th c. barn, of
timber-framing, encased in 18th c. brickwork. (2)

The name WATNALL HALL is retained. Formerly scheduled as an
ancient monument, the buildings (including barn) are to be
demolished by 1961 and a housing estate will cover the site. (3)

WATNALL HALL is a large buiding of L-plan, built in brick.
The main wing, the north-eastern, is of Flemish-bonded brick on
a stone plinth. The south and east sides are accurately described
by Authy. 4. The same authy. Dates the north side as early 17th
c. but there appears to be little evidence for it being other
than contemporary with the remainder of the block. The same
stone plinth is continued on this side with no apparent
change and the rougher brick, in a variant of Flemish bond,
was probably so used because this was the least important
side of the house.
No evidence to justify the close dating 1690-1700 was seen
but the block is certainly very early 18th c. The north-western
wing is also of Flemish-bonded brick, and is clearly later than
the early 18th c. wing as in the junctions of the brickwork
the later wing overlaps the north-eastern wing. No remains of
an earlier building are visible externally and it was not
possible to see the interior of the Hall. The buildings are
becoming derelict; part is occupied by a caretaker. The iron
gates, at SK 5008 4593, are in poor condition. At SK 4994 4606
is a large farm-building, of brick with much stonework, some
rebuilt. Four large timber trusses, of derived Queen-post type,
represent the 15th c. timber-framing mentioned by Authy. 4.
They are formed from massive timbers and rest on irregularly
coursed stone walling probably of the original barn. The building
is derelict. A 25" AM survey has been made. (3)

The intended demolition of the Hall noted by authy. 5 above, has
been carried out. (7)

Data Held (Document). SNT2647.

OS card, Parish File

<1> Pevsner N, 1951, The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire, p 194 (Monograph). SNT49.

<2> SPAB, 1955, Report of Architect (Published document). SNT1308.

<3> Woodhouse WC, 1959, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT1437.

<4> Jones PE, 2006, Lost Houses of Nottinghamshire, p 60-61 (Monograph). SNT1893.

<5> Jacks L, 1881, The Great Houses of Notts (Published document). SNT827.

<6> Historic England, 2021, National Record of Historic Environment (Digital archive). SNT5271.

<7> OS, 1887, 6in 1887 (Map). SNT1059.