Historic and Listed Buildings in Ulverscroft

Descriptions are given below for the following buildings in Ulverscroft.

In general the buildings are in the parish of Ulverscroft.
You may need to check adjoining parishes or settlements.

Please note that the records describe the salient features of each property in order to aid identification: the records are not intended to be either comprehensive or exclusive.

Listing covers all parts of the property and its curtilage, ie all internal and external elements whether described or not.

Statutory Listed Buildings

Lea Cottage, Lea Lane (north side) - Grade II

Pump House, Lea Lane (north side) - Grade II

Stoneywell Cottage, Lea Lane (north side) - Grade II*
Coachhouse and Stables at Stoneywell Cottage, Lea Lane (north side) - Grade II

Ulverscroft Priory Ruins and Priory Farmhouse and outbuildings, Priory Lane (north side) - Grade I Scheduled Ancient Monument

Poultney Farm House, Priory Lane (north side) - Grade II

Rockyfield Cottage, Priory Lane (north side) - Grade II

Copt Oak Farmhouse, Whitcroft’s Lane (west side) - Grade II

Locally Listed Buildings

Black Hill Farm, Beacon Road - Locally Listed

Sandhills Lodge, Markfield Lane - Locally Listed

Chitterman House, Polly Botts Lane - Locally Listed

Green Hill, Priory Lane - Locally Listed

Home Farm, Priory Lane - Locally Listed

Ulverscroft Lodge, Priory Lane - Locally Listed

Ulverscroft Mill, Ulverscroft Lane - Locally Listed

Lea Cottage, Lea Lane (north side) - Grade II
House of 1898 with additions of c1972. By Ernest Gimson for half brother Mentor Gimson with supervision of building by Detmar Blow. Whitewashed slate and granite rubble stone with stone dressings, and thatch roof with rubble stone ridge, side and end stacks. 1½ and 2 storeys in Gimson’s traditional style. Entrance now to rear with C20 porch between two projecting wings: that to left an extension of original cross wing and that to right raised from 1 to 1½ storeys by dormers in roof. Windows are stone mullioned with leaded light casements. Glazed porch has 3 light casement to right with 2 light and 1 light over. On end of left wing a bay window with 3 light casement over. On return front of right wing two 3 light casements and door with two 2 light dormers over. 2 light dormer on end. On right side by road a 3 light casement, 2 light dormer and 3 fixed 1 lights. On left side a massive stack to left with 1st floor 2 light casement in angle by it, central tall mullion and transom window with 2 light casement over and 4 light with 2 light over in C20 extension. Original front, now rear, has gabled cross wing to right with 4 light casement and 3 light over. Square C20 sun room in return with original front door within and 3 light casement to left with 2 light dormer over. Some original woodwork, beams and beam bookcases inside. House has remained in Gimson family.

Pump House, Lea Lane (north side) - Grade II

Pump house of 1899. By Ernest Gimson for Mentor and Sydney Gimson. Granite and slate rubble stone with conical Swithland slate roof. Round one storey structure with door either side to each garden. Lies across boundary of gardens and is included for group value with Lea Cottage and Stoneywell Cottage.

Stoneywell Cottage, Lea Lane (north side) - Grade II*
House of 1899, by Ernest Gimson for elder brother Sydney Gimson with supervision of building by Detmar Blow. Granite and slate rubble stone with original thatch roof Swithland slated by Humphrey Gimson in 1939 after fire. 1½ and 2 storeys of casements on curving plan following line of rocky outcrop behind. Irregular composition with two massive rubble stone stacks to front. Central door with G1899 in slate lintel over. 1 light casement in gable above. 3 light to left and 9 pane window to right. A 2 light dormer over both. Above right a 2 light casement in small roof gable in 1939. Stack on diagonal to right with 1 light and 2 light further right with 2 light dormer over. To left of central section a 1 light dormer with stack with fixed 1 light. A 2 light casement and a fixed 1 light on left end. On right end a partly blocked doorway with 3 light, door and 3 light in gable. Rear has from left a 2 light dormer; a gabled section with 8/8 sash and 1 light casement to left with 2 light over and 1 light above; a rounded staircase section with fixed 1 light, two 2 lights and fixed 1 light with 2 light dormer; and to right a 3 light casement with 2 light over. Lead guttering by Humphrey Gimson decorated with motif derived from Ernest Gimson. Door leads into Dining Room, formerly kitchen, with slate slabs to floor and over fireplace. 4 slate steps lead up left to sitting room and slate spiral staircase. Four oak steps further within Sitting Room. Inglenook recess in Sitting Room with slate slab over fireplace. Much original woodwork: a fine interior. House has remained in Gimson family.

Coachhouse and Stables at Stoneywell Cottage, Lea Lane (north side) - Grade II

Coach House and Stable of 1902. By Ernest Gimson for elder brother Sydney Gimson. Granite and slate rubble stone and timber framed weather boarding with Swithland slate roof and stone ridge stack. Wooden gutters and down pipes. 1½ storeys of casements, L plan, longer range projecting forwards towards road, gable facing. On inside return a stable door with a long narrow 4 light casement either side. Two tiny triangular dormers above. On range to right a door with a 1 light casement and double doors. On right end a buttress and 1st floor door with open landing and steps leading up. Triangular gable apex window with central strut. On rear of this range two 2 light casements and 2 light dormer above. Adjoining is gable end of other range with door and similar but larger gable apex window with central strut. To rear of this range a 3 light casement with two tiny triangular dormers.

Ulverscroft Priory Ruins and Priory Farmhouse and outbuildings, Priory Lane (north side) - Grade I Scheduled Ancient Monument

Ruins of church of C13 and later together with house and outbuildings of C13 and later. Granite and slate rubble stone with some red brick walling and dressings and Swithland slate and corrugated roofs. Parts of the Priory buildings and the Prior’s lodging are now the farmhouse and many of the medieval portions are incorporated in later farm buildings or are other Priory buildings used as farm buildings. The house forms part of one side of a quadrangle on the S side of the church ruins. The quadrangle is largely of farm buildings some being lean-to against the S wall of the church, those on the W side being converted from monastic buildings. The ruins of the church consist of C14 W tower of three stages with ashlar quoins, 4 bell openings and remains of two clasping buttresses. Large W window frame. There are low fragmentary remains of the N side of the nave, N aisle and chancel with fragments of medieval tiles in the NE of the chancel. Part remains of the C13 nave S wall with the lower courses of the clerestory windows and S door. Two partly blocked C14 chancel windows remain with carved quatrefoils in blank frieze on jambs and fragments of tracery. There are the remains also of the Sedilia and Piscina niches. To S of tower a range of two barns, the first of two bays with single purlin roof and central truss, the second, the C13 guest house of four bays with double purlin roof, one truss with arched braces to collar, others with tie beams, and some curved wind braces. Blocked window frame with hoodmould and label stops to rear. Close studding in N end gable. To S of this barn the walling of C15 refectory with two window frames and fragments of tracery. To E of this a gateway, buttress and then the house enclosing the C13 and C15 parlour with Prior’s lodging over. The front of this faces S: large gable to left projecting forwards with C19 gable of brick with Swithland slate roof. Various ridge, side and end stacks. Three storeys of three windows. 2 light casement with cambered lintels on 2nd floor. On 1st floor a blocked 2 light stone mullion window either side a similar 3 light window with cusped heads and brick lintel. Below a doorway to left with cambered lintel, wooden frame and door. In the centre a 4 light mullion window with cusped heads and heavy central jamb. To extreme left and right a buttress with set offs. On gables return a part stone, part brick projecting stack in angle. In section to right a 2nd floor 3 light casement and ground floor blocked door. Extending from right end a lower wing, probably C18, with right end of roof hipped and central ridge stack. Two storeys of two 2 light casements with 3 light and 2 light to ground floor. Cambered lintels. On right end a C20 glazed door and window in single frame with 2 light over. Chamfered beams inside. The rear facing the quadrangle has mainly C19 2 and 3 light casements and doors with a stone pointed arch window on centre right 1st floor. Inside on ground floor the former parlour with moulded ceiling beams, and C15 stone fireplace with Tudor arch and carved spandrels. Remains of close studding, blocked doorways. To NE of house a one storey outbuilding of rubble stone with brick dressings and corrugated roof. Door and three bull’s eye windows. Similar range of outbuildings leans onto S wall of church. This priory of the Augustinian Order was founded in the reign of Henry II by Robert, Earl of Leicester. It became a house of Austin Canons in reign of Edward II and provided an important lodging post for travellers. Dissolved in 1539. ‘This most conspicuous monastic ruin in Leicestershire (Pevsner) is set in a valley of meadows, and the remains extensive and impressive. Scheduled ancient monument.

Poultney Farm House, Priory Lane (north side) - Grade II
House of mid C18. Granite and slate rubble stone with Welsh slate roof and brick end stacks. Two storeys of three casements; central opening 3 light with small panes either side of central door. C20 canopy over this: 2 light above. Brick cambered lintels to ground floor. On left end small extension with door and on end a 1 light casement. C20 3 light on rendered right end. Rear similar to front with French window lower left. Chamfered beams, some stopped, inside.

Rockyfield Cottage, Priory Lane (north side) - Grade II
Cottage of 1908. By Ernest Gimson for Margaret Gimson. Granite and slate rubble stone with Swithland slate roof and lintels with left end and rear side stacks. 1½ storeys on a slightly curving plan. Casements. Door centre right with 1 light casement to right and 2 light in gable over. Two 2 lights to left with 2 light in gable. On extreme left a stable type door with a 1 light either side. To right of front door a 3 light with 2 light dormer over and on right end a 3 light both floors. Massive stack, two 2 light dormers, casements and door to rear. Much original woodwork inside.

Copt Oak Farmhouse, Whitcroft’s Lane (west side) - Grade II
House of C17/early C18 with rear extension of c1800. Granite and slate rubble stone with brick stacks on left end and centre right ridge. Two storeys of three 3 light casements with 3 light casement, C20 window, door and C20 window below. Here cambered lintels. 1 light on left end and small one storey extension on right end with door, window and end stack. Casements and extension to rear. Door leads to lobby entrance with massive double sided inglenook ahead. Cambered inglenook beams and double hood above. Chamfered beams and rafters, some stopped, and short early C18 oak staircase. Double purlin roof. Half of original moat remains round back of house.

Black Hill Farm, Beacon Road - Locally Listed
Originally a Farm. Cluster of buildings. Now an ‘Executive Residence’ Farming activity appears secondary, probably leased to others. Perhaps Late C18 origins obscured by substantial C20 rebuilding and extensions. Vernacular styling. Random Mountsorrel granite with red brick dressings and slate pitched roofs. New buildings, red brick. Vernacular styling

Sandhills Lodge, Markfield Lane - Locally Listed

Abandoned Farm. Lodge demolished. Remaining barns in advanced disrepair, arranged on four sides of yard. Roofs either collapsed or with coverings missing. Currently owned by a ‘Social Housing Trust’. Buildings, Late C18 in origin but farm may be much older. Vernacular styling. Random Mountsorrel granite with red brick arched heads and dressings to openings. Pitched purlin roofs on crude trusses, originally covered with clay pantiles. Part single and part 2 storeys.

Chitterman House, Polly Botts Lane - Locally Listed
Originally 2 Cottages. Now combined into a single Dwelling. Built 1897 for James Bilson. Designed by Ernest Gimson. Arts & Crafts / Domestic Revival styling but altered beyond recognition. Rough cast render. Multi gabled Swithland slate pitched roofs with pitched roof dormers. Assorted replacement windows.

Green Hill, Priory Lane - Locally Listed

Substantial Country House. Late C19. Domestic Revival styling. Random Mountsorrel granite. Steep hipped Swithland slate roofs with deep eaves and hipped dormers. Feature granite stacks. L shaped plan with projecting ‘apsed’ end at junction of SW & SE facades topped by half domed roof. Small paned casement windows.

Home Farm, Priory Lane - Locally Listed
Originally a Farm. Now a stud, breeding small ponies. Perhaps C19 in origin, concealed by heavy planting. Mountsorrel granite with brick dressings. Pitched slate roofs

Ulverscroft Lodge, Priory Lane - Locally Listed
Originally a Farm. Now a Private House and Outbuildings. Generally, Late C18 in origin.

House built 1773. Stone plaque reads ‘WPB Esq 1773’. Plain Neoclassical/Georgian styling. Mellow red brick. Stone string course above 1st & 2nd floors on front elevation. Swithland slate pitched roof. 2 gable stacks. 3 storeys including roof space. Flat topped arched brick openings. Small paned casement and vertical sliding sash windows. French windows on GF. Flanking screen walls with concave curved top and stone coping attached at each gable. Plain neoclassical columns with unique square capitals incorporating volutes terminate each screen.

Outbuildings include a Cottage and former Barns. Generally random Mountsorrel granite. Swithland slate pitched roofs. Cottage with tall ridge stack. 1 Barn with pyramidal roofed ridge ‘lantern’. Brick dressed openings include a small diocletian window in barn gable. Various patterns of C19 metal fencing enclose parts of grounds

Ulverscroft Mill, Ulverscroft Lane - Locally Listed
Derelict Water Mill. Delightful overgrown setting. Perhaps Early C19 in origin but with new roof and replacement concrete lintols. Simple Vernacular styling. Random Mountsorrel granite with local brick arched and dressed openings. Swithland slate pitched roof. Original grinding stones remain on site.

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Alison

Yes Ulverscroft Priory is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument - the highest grading signifying that it's a nationally important building with the same level of status as the likes of Hardwick Hall and Chatsworth. I've attached the listing description for information. By the way all the listing descriptions are available on our website.

Martin

(Alison Keay)