as above

• April 25^th. 1815

Soane office

C.G.T. Dean describes the old stables pictured here: 'At the entrance the roofs were hipped, and there were brick piers capped by stone balls, with cannon let into the ground at their outer corners. Inside the yard there were ubb'd arches over the Doors and Windows on the ground floor, and lucerne, or wooden dormers, to the attics. A row of five workshops with lodgings overhead stood next the main road, and somewhat larger premises for the carpenter on the opposite side of the yard.'

Dean adds that 'The old Stable-yard was built mainly in 1692-4, though additions were made between then and 1698. It was more than double the size of the present yard, and provided stabling for thirty-six horses, three of which were for the Governor.'

The old stable yard was demolished as a result of the construction of the neighbouring new Infirmary. In order for the Infirmary to have the space and ventilation necessary, the stables site was eventually moved (post Infirmary) to a new site, to the west of the latter.

This drawing also shows the old Clerk of Work's house, which is discussed in the notes to SM volume 76/54, SM volume 76/55 and SM volume 76/58 of the next section.

C.G.T. Dean, The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, 1950, p.115-116

Drawing

Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation

If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk