Stables … built in 1862-3 by M. E. Hadfield for the Webbs. (1)

A courtyard stable has stood on the lakeside at Newstead Abbey for several hundred years in various forms. The utilitarian complex of pitched-roof buildings seen in early eighteenth-century sources was replaced by a fort stable and kennels in the 1760s. The existing stable was erected in 1862 and replaced one half of the fort, forming a selfcontained quadrangle. It is significant that this was a Gothic and picturesque design. It responded well to the location as well as Lord Byron’s romantic legacy. Not only does it mirror the Gothic remains of the Abbey, but it also works as a status symbol, with William Webb’s coat of arms and initials. Following the decline of the estate horse, the stable was converted to residential use during the interwar period. The conversion of the horse accommodation of the east and west ranges has given them a thoroughly domestic appearance. These former stables are not only a work of architectural merit but also a significant source of equestrian heritage. Internally, the quadrangle stable contained all the elements required for a fine country house stable. It had two ranges for accommodating carriage horses, hunters, riding horses as well as visiting horses. These were fitted with nineteen stalls, four looseboxes, an isolation box and divisions to reduce overcrowding. With its small proportion of looseboxes this was not an entirely progressive stable complex, yet given its range of features this was still a high-quality building of its type. (2)

Listed buildings slides, 16 slides (Photograph). SNT2648.

Donald Insall Associates Ltd, 2004, Newstead Abbey. Landscape Restoration Management Plan. Landscape Structures Condition Survey (Unpublished document). SNT4863.

<1> Pevsner N, 1979, The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire 2nd ed., p 208 (Monograph). SNT4.

<1> Gedling Borough Council, 1991, Gedling's Heritage, 118 (Published document). SNT1552.

<2> Janine Buckley, 2023, Country House Stables of Nottinghamshire (Published document). SNT5502.