Information for record number MWA1188:
Compton Verney House

Summary A manor house which was built about 1780 by Robert Adams on the site of an earlier house. An archaeological evaluation at the house revealed the demolished walls of the 18th century service wings. It is situated 900m north west of Lodge Farm.
What Is It?  
Type: Manor House, House
Period: Post-medieval - Industrial (1540 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Compton Verney
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 31 52
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: I)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 The present Compton Verney house was built about 1780. The house is a fine stone building in the Classic style erected by Robert Adam. The main front faces north east and is divided into five bays by Corinthian pilasters; it is flanked by long wings, making the plan half H-shaped. It occupies the site of an earlier house dating, in part, from the middle of the 15th century. This, of which Dugdale gives a view, seems to have been built around a courtyard, with gatehouse towers; its south east elevation had four projecting chimney stacks and ten gabled dormers.
2 The existing house is used as a weekend residence. It is in fairly good condition, some of the top floor windows are broken and paint is peeling off outside walls.
3 The house has recently been sold.
5 An archaeological evaluation of two sites at Compton Verney house, one just NW of the house, the other in the grounds SE of the lake, involved background research and trial trenching. N of the house no trace was found of the medieval manor house, although walls belonging to demolished 18th century service wings were revealed. In the grounds no evidence of the expected medieval village was found although the trenches contained two undated boundary banks and ditches and a probable 18th century field drain.
6 Historical study by S Brindle for English Heritage. Includes copies of cartographic and archival material.
7 archaeological observation of construction works and service trenches for the Art Gallery extension to the NW of the mansion house recorded wall foundations and features relating to the 18th century service wings and outbuilding, recovering evidence for several structural phases. No trace of any medieval structure was found.
8 Summary note of excavation in WMA.
9 A Post Medieval brick paved surface was revealed during groundworks near to the stable block.
10 outbuildings of the Tudor manor house shown on a 17th century engraving.
11 In 1941 old masonry foundations were observed in a trench cut to make way for a sewer that ran to the lake. These may be the remains of the outbuilding noted in
10. Further foundation were noted at the same time between the bridge and the stable building but the exact location is unknown.
12 Undated newspaper cutting.
13 Observation of refurbishment phase 2 at Compton Verney, with some minor works occurring within the mansion house. A fireplace, pre-dating the one shown on Adam's plan of 1761 was recorded in one of the first floor galleries. Original brick arches were recorded when the wood panelling was removed from some windows on the first floor. Original doors were also recorded in the older part of the house.
 
Sources

Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Buildings of England: Warwickshire
Author/originator: Pevsner N and Wedgwood A
Date: 1966
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Warwicks
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Compton Verney, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Brindle S
Date: 1993
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Drawing
Title: Compton Verney House
Author/originator: Hollar
Date: 1655
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: Archaeological Evaluation at Compton Verney House, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Jones C
Date: 1995
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 12
Source Type: Newspaper/Magazine Article
Title: Compton Verney
Author/originator: Leamington Spa Courier and Warwickshire Standard
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Archaeological Observation at the Art Gallery Extension, Compton Verney House, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Jones, C & Meek, J
Date: 1998
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Archaeological Observation at The Stable Block, Compton Verney House, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Coutts C & Newman R
Date: 2000
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Report No 0039
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: Compton Verney House
Author/originator: Darkes G T
Date: 1985
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 1188
   
Source No: 13
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA vol 45 (2002)
Author/originator: Watt, S (ed)
Date: 2003
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 45
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA vol 39 (1996)
Author/originator: Mould, C & White, R (eds)
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 39
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Site Visit
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: Wright S M
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 914
   
Source No: 11
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Memo by John Harvey
Author/originator: Harvey, John
Date: 1941
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Compton Verney House
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2000
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source WMA West Midlands Archaeology. This publication contains a short description for each of the sites where archaeological work has taken place in the previous year. It covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. Some of these descriptions include photographs, plans and drawings of the sites and/or the finds that have been discovered. The publication is produced by the Council For British Archaeology (CBA) West Midlands and is published annually. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period Post Medieval About 1540 AD to 1750 AD (the 16th century AD to the 18th century AD)

The Post Medieval period comes after the medieval period and before the Imperial period.

This period covers the second half of the reign of the Tudors (1485 – 1603), the reign of the Stuarts (1603 – 1702) and the beginning of the reign of the Hannoverians (1714 – 1836).
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monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument VILLAGE * A collection of dwelling-houses and other buildings, usually larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a simpler organisation and administration than the latter. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument LODGE * A small building, often inhabited by a gatekeeper, gamekeeper or similar. Use specific type where known. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument BOUNDARY BANK * An earthen bank that indicates the limit of an area or a piece of land. back
monument LAKE * A large body of water surrounded by land. back
monument SEWER * A large drain or conduit for carrying away wastes. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument MANOR HOUSE * The principal house of a manor or village. back
monument CONSTRUCTION WORKS * A site associated with the large scale construction of buildings or items manufactured by the building industry. back
monument ARCH * A structure over an opening usually formed of wedge-shaped blocks of brick or stone held together by mutual pressure and supported at the sides; they can also be formed from moulded concrete/ cast metal. A component; use for free-standing structure only. back
monument FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument TOWER * A tall building, either round, square or polygonal in plan, used for a variety of purposes, including defence, as a landmark, for the hanging of bells, industrial functions, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument ART GALLERY * A building in which works of art are displayed, permanently or temporarily. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument COURTYARD * An uncovered area, surrounded or partially surrounded by buildings. back
monument GATEHOUSE * A gateway with one or more chambers over the entrance arch; the flanking towers housing stairs and additional rooms. Use with wider site type where known. back
monument SERVICE WING * A building or wing of a large house in which the servants would live and carry out some of their duties. back
monument BRIDGE * A structure of wood, stone, iron, brick or concrete, etc, with one or more intervals under it to span a river or other space. Use specific type where known. back
monument OUTBUILDING * A detached subordinate building. Use specific type where known, eg. DAIRY. back
monument WOOD * A tract of land with trees, sometimes acting as a boundary or barrier, usually smaller and less wild than a forest. back
monument TRENCH * An excavation used as a means of concealment, protection or both. back
monument MANSION HOUSE * Traditionally the chief residence of a land owner. Now used specifically to describe the residence of the Lord Mayor of London. back
monument DITCH * A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument FIELD DRAIN * An unsocketed earthenware or porous concrete pipe laid end to end unjointed so as to drain the ground. back
monument STABLE * A building in which horses are accommodated. back
monument FARM * A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument CHIMNEY * Chimney used on an industrial or commercial site. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument WORKS * Usually a complex of buildings for the processing of raw materials. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record