Charnwood Borough Council - Leading in Leicestershire

Descriptions are given below for the following buildings in Rearsby. In general the buildings are in the parish of Rearsby. 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
Charlotte Cottage No. 5, Brook Street (west side) - Grade II
Church of St Michael, Church Lane - Grade II*
Bridge, Church Lane - Grade II - Scheduled Ancient Monument
1787 and 1795 (odd), Melton Road (south side) - Grade II
The Old Vicarage, No. 1807/9, Melton Road (south side) - Grade II
Crossways No. 1756, Melton Road (north side) - Grade II
Old Hall, Mill Road (east side) - Grade II*
Wall to Old Hall Grounds, Mill Road (east side) - Grade II
8, The Olde House, Mill Road (north east side) - Grade II
Barn to rear of Ye Olde House, Mill Road (north east side) - Grade II
12 (Moorhurst) and Pump to rear, Mill Road (north east side) - Grade II
30, Mill Road (east side) - Grade II
32, Mill Road (east side) - Grade II
Barn to Rearsby House Farm, Mill Road - Grade II
Former Stable at Rearsby House Farm, Mill Road (west side) - Grade II
Manor Farmhouse and Adjoining Outbuildings, Mill Road (north side) - Grade II
Wall at Manor Farm, Mill Road (north side) - Grade II
Pigeon House at Manor Farm, Mill Road (north side) - Grade II
Barn at Manor Farm, Mill Road (north side) - Grade II
Mill and Mill House, Thrussington Road (south side) - Grade II
Locally Listed Buildings
The Grange, Grange Avenue - Locally Listed
Convent, Station Road - Locally Listed
Railway Station, Station Road - Locally Listed

Charlotte Cottage No. 5, Brook Street (west side) - Grade II
House. Early C18. Brick on rubble plinth with plain tiled roof. 2 storeys, symmetrically arranged facade about a central doorway which has a 6 panelled door in moulded wood case. Each side of the door, a 2 light window and outer 3 light window, all horizontally sliding sashes, 4 upper windows are 4 light sashes and all windows have flat arched brick heads. Blocked upper central window. Moulded brick eaves cornice. Stack to rear and on right hand gable. Lower rear wing apparently contemporary.
Church of St Michael, Church Lane - Grade II*
Parish church. Largely late C13 to early C14. Sandstone and granite rubble with ashlar dressing, low pitched leaded roofs. West tower, nave with clerestory and 2 aisles, chancel. Tower is perpendicular, white ashlar in banded courses. Buttressed, 2 stages with embattled parapet with gargoyles and corner finials. Paired foiled west window and light to bell chamber. South aisle is a C19 restoration in granite with ashlar dressings including an eaves cornice. Windows are paired cusped lights in the decorated style, with hoodmoulds and corbel heads. South porch a shallow gabled Victorian structure with wide archway ornamented with vine scroll and cusps on shafts with foliate corbels. Carved cross motif recessed to each side of it. South doorway also Victorian, a decorated arch with shafts and leafy capitals. East wall of aisle apparently original sandstone rather than granite rubble. Granite rubble clerestory with paired foiled lights. Chancel is also of sandstone rubble with some granite. A small ogee arched priests door to west and good perpendicular tracery to 3 light north and south windows and 5 light east window. Over the east window 2 blocked 2 centred arched lights. On the east wall, a memorial with inscription on a slate beneath a sandstone broken pediment and shield of arms, to Richard Benskin, d 1756, and Sarah, d 1741. East wall and west bay of north aisle are of granite rubble, the rest sandstone, probably all C19, though the north doorway, with shafts, roll moulding and hoodmould is late C13. Aisle windows are 3 cusped ogee lights in square headed arches.
Inside, thin painted double chamfered tower arch on shafts. Nave of 4 bays with south arcade the earlier and probably late C13. It has round piers with octagonal capitals. The east and west responds are slim columns, that to east has a worn still leaf capital. Single chamfered arches with an outer chamfer or hoodmould also springing from the capitals. North arcade is slightly later, with narrower octagonal piers. Otherwise its detail is very similar. Nave roof is C19: moulded cambered trusses. Piscina in south aisle. Chancel arch is double chamfered and springs from corbels. There is a mid Victorian openwork wood traceried screen on a stone base which incorporates the ornate stone pulpit to the north. Piscina and reredos in south wall of chancel are late C13, but other features are perpendicular. Its Victorian roof has moulded trusses with painted bosses.
Font, C13, a rounded basin with 4 clusters of shafts supporting a carved but mutilated rim, and having carved capitals and bases standing free of the central round base.
Bridge, Church Lane - Grade II - Scheduled Ancient Monument
Bridge. Medieval, perhaps C16. Largely granite rubble with brick. Low narrow structure with 7 arches, 3 over stream and 4 lesser arches for the longer south approach. 3 rounded cutwaters to east, 2 are granite, but one is brick. Brick coping to low parapet.
1787 and 1795 (odd), Melton Road (south side) - Grade II
Row of 5 estate cottages. Dated 1862. Brick, with tiled roof with decorative fish scale bands. Picturesque Tudor gothic group, symmetrically arranged. 2 storeys, 7 bays in all with outer and centre projecting gables. The central gable contains a 3 light casement window to ground floor with stilted yellow brick arch with stone key. 2 light oriel window above. Outer gables have a 2 light casement window on each floor. Each gable has some tumbled brickwork and a stone shield in the apex, blank on the outer gables, and on the central, recorded the date with initials WAP. Intermediate bays have inner doorways recessed behind an outer archway with yellow brick stilted arch and keystone, and two 2 light casement windows to each floor. All windows have yellow brick heads. Over the first floor windows, steep gablets. Yellow brick nogged eaves cornice and string course. Clustered moulded brick axial stacks.
The Old Vicarage, No. 1807/9, Melton Road (south side) - Grade II
House, formerly vicarage, c1820. Rendered over brick; channelled stucco to ground floor, rough cast above, with quoins. Low pitched Welsh slate roof. 3 storeys, 5 bays with facade symmetrical about central doorway: door with overlight in incised plaster architrave c1930. Windows are 2 light wood mullions and transoms, with drop ended hoodmoulds to first two floors. Attic windows are of 2 lights with flat arched heads. Gable and axial stacks.
Crossways No. 1756, Melton Road (north side) - Grade II
House. Dated 1792. Brick with low pitched Welsh slate roof with cresting. 3 storeys, 3 bays, a symmetrical facade about a central doorway with overlight, and outer 16 light sash windows with panelled shutters and gauged brick heads. Upper windows 3 light casements with segmental arched heads, and 3 light horizontally sliding sash windows to attic. Gable and axial stacks. Dated on a slate with initials W over TA. Single lower bay to right with 2 cambered headed openings in its gable wall, the lower one blocked.
Old Hall, Mill Road (east side) - Grade II*
House, mostly 1661. Rough cast render probably over brick to west and south elevations, brick to rear. Welsh slate roof to front and rear wings, Swithland slate to rear of main range. 2 storeyed with attics. Main facade of 5 bays, symmetrical with 3 projecting gables: the outer ones contain full height canted bay windows with hollow chamfered stone mullions, and hoodmoulds, 2 light casements to attic. Central gable over porch, a round arched opening, with six panelled door within, and single light set in round arched recess above, over which is the date on a carved stone. Inner bays each contain a 3 light casement window in round arched recess to ground floor, and 3 lights above. Later hipped roofed bay to left, c1930. Gable and axial brick stacks. Rear has projecting wing to left, and gable to right with later C19 and C20 outshot extensions between them. The gable is of brick with blue diaper work and has a 3 light horizontally sliding sash window to ground floor, and a 2 light casement to first floor and attic above. All windows have cambered brick heads. Evidence that the roof was heightened in the C19. In the rear of the main range one upper 3 light horizontally sliding sash window is visible over which is another decorated datestone. One hipped gabled dormer in roof. Left hand wing largely obscured by later additions, but is in two parts. Its garden front (south side) appears to be a facade of early C20 date: rough cast render with canted bay window to left, a central 2 light casement, and 3 light casement to right in full height round arched recess. Upper windows also 3 light casements, set in shaped recesses. Single lower right hand bay, with ground floor loggia and 3 light window above.
Inside oak panelled dining room, c1661, including fireplace with bolection moulded wood surround. Staircase with simply turned wood balusters, also c1661. Various chamfered beams, and some timber studding visible in rear wall.
Wall to Old Hall Grounds, Mill Road (east side) - Grade II
Length of wall in front of house, C18-C19. Brick with rounded brick coping. The lower courses are probably C18, the upper part C19. Small gateway probably C19, with no piers, but some stone quoins and ball finials.
8 The Olde House, Mill Road (north east side) - Grade II
House. Dated 1610 and 1613. For Jacob and Ruth Astill. C18 alterations and extensions and restoration, internal alterations and rebuilding of one gable wall in 1935 for Sir Frank Craven.
Exterior. Timber framed on cobble plinth, with brick nogging in square panels with some arch bracing. Swithland slate roof with brick central ridge and right end stacks. Originally 3-unit lobby-entry plan with additional cross-wing on right. Later extension to service end which includes a projection of single storey and attic on far left. 2 storeys and attic. Windows appear to be all of 1935 and have leaded lights with some stained glass panels. In the main range 4 lower casement windows and 3 above at varying levels. one dormer in the roof and a tall axial stack with further stack on left gable end. Projecting cross wing is jettied and has canted oriel bay window to ground and first floors: on the head of the lower the date 1613 with initials A over IR. Right end projecting stack. Square panel framing overall. The original wattle and daub infill was repalced with brick nogging in 1935 using small bricks which may have been re-used. Smaller brick wing to far left with one upperlight. Doors and lean-tos on left end. Rear now has main entrance in gabled porch, square-panel framing as on front leaded casements and two gabled dormers. Brick rebuilt gable to left.
Interior.
The plan survives with lobby (original entrance now blocked) in front of back-to-back fireplaces. That to left still with original bressumer with lead-filled carved date 1610 and IRA. Staircase well behind now has 1935 staircase which continues to attic in a former bedroom space now open to the roof. the heavy jowled posts of the main frame are mainly visible as are the bridging beamsand joists. The former have wide plain chamfers typical of the early C17 and plain stops. The joists are chamfered in the right (viewed from road) ground floor unit. The cross-wing ground floor room has a C20 character with covered beams. Framing of heavy scantling with corner bracing visible in part as are roof trusses. The main roof has coupled and pegged rafters along the whole length and original purlins in the staircase hall area. Elsewhere the purlins have been replaced at a different height. In the principal bedroom on the cross-wing first floor one bridging beam could be original, the other appears to have originally been a gable-end tie beam and may have been that on the original rear gable end wall which was rebuilt in 1935 (initials and dates). There is an unusual ensuite bathroom of 1935 complete with fittings, cupboards and lights and with fine tiling in art deco panels in two shades of green.
History.
Jacob and Ruth Astill built the house in 1610-1613 (there is a carved date and initials on the wall post of the right unit room as well as the earlier date on the fireplace bressumer). The Astills remained owners until the late C17 or early C18 when the freehold was acquired by Richard Benskin (1671-1756). The Benskins remained in occupation as brewers and malsters until the death of Edward Stanton Benskin in 1934. The house was then bought and restored by Sir Frank Craven.
This fine yeoman's house retains much of its original plan form and structure including good wall framing, the main roof structure and an open fireplace.
Sources: Leics CRO and information from current owners which included an account of the work undertaken in 1935 as related by Mr R W Dalby who was one of the restoration team employed.
Barn to rear of Ye Olde House, Mill Road (north east side) - Grade II
Large barn, probably mid C18. Brick on granite rubble plinth, with Swithland slate roof. Central double doorway, with red and blue brick segmentally arched head, now blocked, between two brick pilasto buttresses. One 6 light window to ground floor of left hand bay, single door and window in right hand bay, and two upper lights. Various blocked vents. Known locally as maltings to former Benskins brewery.
12 (Moorhurst) and Pump to rear, Mill Road (north east side) - Grade II
House. C18, altered and heightened in C19. Brick on granite plinth. Welsh slate roof. 2 storeys, 2 unit plan with central door with reeded architrave and porch canopy on consoles, carrying a carved lion. Lower windows are 3 light casements with upper central opening light, and cambered brick heads. Upper windows are 3 light horizontally sliding sashes, also with cambered heads. The line of heightening is clearly visible just above the level of their sills. Gable end stacks. Rear roof slope is at original pitch, with brick eaves cornice, lower wing to rear.
Pump on rear wall is dated 1784. A wood case c5’ high with shallow pedimented top, with carving and one decorated panel below. Lead spout and plate with royal arms, date and initials A over JB. Reputed to be linked with Benskins the brewers, whose former brew house is attached to an adjoining property.
30, Mill Road (east side) - Grade II
Cottage, 1743, but heightened in C19. Brick, on rubble plinth, with Welsh slate roof. Rear entry. Front elevation has two 2 light casement windows with cambered brick head on each floor. There is a sill course at 1st floor level and everything above it is a later build. One small sliding casement in gable wall at first floor level. Gable end stacks. Of one build with No. 32.
32, Mill Road (east side) - Grade II
House, in two parts and formerly two dwellings. Dated 1743, heightened and altered in C19. Brick on rubble plinth with Welsh slate roof. Two bays right of doorway represent the earliest part of the building dated on a slate with initials I over TA. Two 3 light horizontally sliding sashes to ground floor with cambered brick heads and one blocked opening. Two 2 light casements above, also with cambered heads and a sill course marking the original height of the wall. The door in a coped gable porch, and with moulded wood architrave is at the junction of two builds: left of it two taller and later bays brick with yellow headers, slightly offset, with a 2 light casement window with cambered head to ground floor and a tiny 2 light horizontally sliding sash window with old glass to left. 3 upper windows are 4 light sashes moulded eaves cornice. Left of this, a single storey C19 range with blocked doorway to right and existing door left of it, both with cambered brick heads, and a tiny window above the blocked opening. Two 20 light windows to left, with 6 central panes opening.
Barn to Rearsby House Farm, Mill Road - Grade II
Large barn. Dated 1715. Brick with new tiled roof. Central high double doorway with steep segmental brick arched head, and pilaster buttresses to each side of it. In the left hand bay a single squared light, and the date in blue bricks. Right hand bay obscured by modern building at right angles to it. Brick steeply coped gables: the upper most a C19 rebuild, and nogged. Inside, buttresses support the tie beams of roughly shaped trusses, the tie beams are braced, the principal rafters halved and pinned, and with trenched purlins. Lower tie beams form the basis of an inserted floor.
Former Stable at Rearsby House Farm, Mill Road (west side) - Grade II
Former stable, now barn. Probably with early C18 core. Granite rubble with tiled roof. Tall but narrow building with single doorway now with brick chamfered arch.
Manor Farmhouse and Adjoining Outbuildings, Mill Road (north side) - Grade II
House. Dated 1753. Brick on cobble and moulded brick plinth with Welsh slate roof. L-plan, 2½ storeys. The main range of three bays has central doorway, a 6 panelled door with overlight, and a 3 light casement window to each side of it with single opening lights. Upper windows of 2 and 3 lights with lower central light of horizontally sliding sash. All openings have cambered brick heads. Two gabled dormers above. Over the door, the date on a slate. Brick sill band, and moulded eaves cornice. Wing to left has inner 6 panelled door with overlight and outer 3 light casement. Blind window above doorway and another casement. Single cabled dormer. Plinth, sill band and moulded eaves cornice. Coped gables, C19 gable end stacks.
Lower range of C19 outbuildings to right.
Wall at Manor Farm, Mill Road (north side) - Grade II
Wall, probably C18. Cob, on rubble plinth, with pantiled coping. Partially rendered over brick repairs. It runs for c150 yards, forming 2 boundaries. A good example of traditional walling.
Pigeon House at Manor Farm, Mill Road (north side) - Grade II
Small pigeon house. Dated 1753. Brick on rubble plinth with Swithland slate ridge roof, and brick coped gables. Single doorway on inner face over which the date with initials WP on a slate.
Barn at Manor Farm, Mill Road (north side) - Grade II
Large barn. Probably largely early C18 though heightened in the C19. Brick on cobble plinth with new concrete tiled roof. Small central doorway with steep brick relieving arch above. Two squared upper lights, and various vents. Nogged eaves course. In the lower gable wall, an upper loading door with cast iron bracket.
Mill and Mill House, Thrussington Road (south side) - Grade II
Mill and Mill House, c1825. The house is to the right, brick with Welsh slate roof. Three storeys and 3 bays with central door beneath a wood canopied porch of 1935. To either side of the door, a triple light sash window. Upper windows are also sashes the outer of 3 lights and 2 lights over the door. All openings have cambered brick heads though attic lights have timber lintels. Nogged eaves cornice. The Mill building itself is a C19 refronting of an earlier brick building. Brick with Welsh slate roof. A tall building two storeys with a series of five full height brick pilaster buttresses. Two renewed ground floor windows and a new door to the right beneath timber projecting gabled loading bay. Renewed casement windows with cambered heads in gable wall. Early C20 two storey addition to house to rear.
The Grange, Grange Avenue - Locally Listed
Originally Rearsby Grange built as a Private House. Now Offices for De Montfort Insurance Company plc. Late C19, combining Tudor and Domestic Revival elements. Perhaps extended and remodelled C20. Red brick with inset half timbering to entrance gable. Multi gabled clay tile pitched roofs. 3 storeys. 5 tall Tudor style ridge and gable stacks. Asymmetric ‘T’ plan. Stone dressings to window openings some with stone mullions and transomes. Generally casement windows.
Convent, Station Road - Locally Listed
Originally, Private House known as Church Leys House. Commissioned by Hollingworth. Built 1883, confirmed by stone plaque on garden facade. Stable block added by Fitzherbert, 1911. Now a Convent, purchased by The Sisters of St Joseph of Peace, 1945. House and stables little altered. Essentially Arts & Crafts / Domestic Revival in character. Well preserved interior including staircase and terrazzo floor to entrance hall. Generally, red brick with tile hanging to square gables and stone string courses. Half timbered gables. Multi-pitched and gabled plain clay tile roofs with terra cotta ridge and finials. 2 & 3 storeys with dormers. Tall ridge, gable and side wall stacks. Generally stone dressed openings with casement windows. Extensive C20 additions
Railway Station, Station Road - Locally Listed
Originally Station Buildings, now Private Houses with platform removed. Built 1846/8. Closed 1951. Design attributed to Leicester architect, William Parsons, Surveyor to the Syston-Peterborough railway. Severe red brick, stripped Tudor Revival. Steep pitched roof with upstanding end gables and pitched roof dormers. 1 gable with decorative barge boards. Stone copings to end gables and kneelers. Roof reclad with concrete tiles. 2 storeys including attic. Squat ridge stacks with corbelled heads. Chamfered stone lintols and stone cills. Hood mould above former main entrance. Generally, casement windows.