Bourne Hall Lodge

This page is based on information supplied by Jeremy Harte
(Bourne Hall Museum) and a Report by Ian West to the
Domestic Buildings Research Group (DBRG No. 1499)

The Lodge
Image courtesy of Bourne Hall Museum

The original Bourne Hall, or as it was then called Garbrand Hall, was built about 1770 for Philip Rowden, a prosperous London wine-merchant.

Garbrand Hall c1895, Photographer C J Hopkins
Image courtesy of  E&EL&FHC

The main house and stables were demolished in 1962 followed by the Turrets (the dairy and brew house) in 1967.  Leaving just the Lodge next to the Dog Gate, so named as it is topped by a statue of a Talbot dog, and some sections of  wall.

The Dog Gate in 2007
Copyright image courtesy of Clive Gilbert

On the 1859 Garbrand Hall deeds there is no Lodge; the ‘bridge’ is there, as is a sliver of a pool to the south giving the impression of a river crossing. The first record of the Lodge is in the 1861 census, when the butler is living there.  It is clear therefore that the Lodge was built for the new owner of Garbrand Hall  George Torr who seem to have been a good employer as they enlarged it when more family space was needed.

It currently consists of one storey topped by a mansard roof with the side of the Lodge on Spring Street forming part of the perimeter wall with windows only on the upper storey.

The Lodge from Spring Street in 1961
Photo by Witkowski courtesy of  E&EL&FHC

However, it was originally built as a two-up, two-down around a central chimney. Later a ground floor scullery (present kitchen) was added then another room (present bathroom) was added above the scullery (present kitchen).  This room had a pedimented window facing west to match the original central one that faces north.

The Bridge, Lodge and Dog Gate c1990s
Image courtesy of Bourne Hall Museum

These additions must have been done within a few years of the original build as all the architecture matches. Much later a blocked window in the original outside west wall was revealed when the plaster was stripped to put in some much-needed insulation.

Two 1960s views – note no porch
Images courtesy of Bourne Hall Museum

The main door was on the east side but was blocked off and a porch built about 1969.

A 1969 view – now with added porch
Image courtesy of Bourne Hall Museum

A line of York stone paving runs from the old door to the Dog Gate. There used to be a bell in a cage on the inner, south side of the retaining arch with a wire running to a bellpull on the gate so people could call for admission.

The bell in a cage
Image courtesy of Bourne Hall Museum

Between the Dog Gate and the Lodge, you may notice a couple of arches these  appear on the 1871 Ordnance Survey Map and form a retaining wall to stop the Dog Gate falling over!

Plan of Bourne Hall Lodge by Ian West October 1978

Borough Memorial Plaque

The Borough Memorial Plaque
Image courtesy of Bourne Hall Museum

Peter Reed 2023
With thanks to Jeremy Harte, Ian West and Nikki Cowlard