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George Singer and Coundon Court, Coventry

George Singer in his prime at Coundon Court

George Singer in his prime on the steps to Coundon Court

On Sunday 29th April 2007 four WIAS members took advantage of the kind invitation from the Kenilworth Society to take part in a conducted tour of Coundon Court, now the administrative centre of Coundon Court School - a Specialist Technology College. Our enthusiastic guide was Richard Hoare, a former teacher at the school for over 30 years.

The three storey house of red brick with some stonework incorporated was built in 1891 for the cycle, motor engineer and entrepreneur George Singer. He died there in 1901. Designed by Charles Gray-Hill, the Court is externally rather severe but the interior is heavily decorated in an imposing style, with much elaborate woodwork. The keen-eyed spotted evidence of under floor heating in the form of circular brass plates which could be simply moved to an open or closed position. The mature grounds provide a fine setting for the main facade of this late Victorian building which has stood up to the obvious heavy demand of wartime service as a maternity home, and then as a busy school, with many of its features remarkably intact.

In its heyday the estate comprised of over 50 acres complete with 3 cottages, stabling for 7 horses and an impressive lodge at the gated entrance called Holly Lodge which remains. It is believed that a Monastery once occupied the same site.

Richard A Storey

© P.Riley & R. Hoare

Plaque at the main entrance door

The main entrance

Bust in the reception hall

Bust of George Singer 1847-1909 in the entrance hall

Coundon Court - the front facade

The main facade and entrance - the flat roof to the left was a replacement structure following a fire in 1956 - originally it would have matched the rest of the gables

Coundon Court from the side and lawns

The house from the lawns

Stones in the grounds which may mark position of a grave

Two interesting stones with carvings which are reputed to mark the burial place of a maid who committed suicide by jumping from the 2nd floor landing in the Court!

The porch ceiling

Carving and paintwork inside the entrance porch

Hall and stairs with mirrored wall

Hall and original mirrors under great staircase to reflect light

Fireplace in the hall

The hall with impressive fireplace

Elabaorate door carving on the ground floor

Detailed carving on one of the doors

Splendid wood and glass drinks cabinet in the former dining room

Ornate woodwork and glass cupboards in the dining room

Second floor landing and roof light which originally was stained glass

Looking up to the 2nd floor landings with roof light, originally stained glass, lost during WWII

Billiard Room fireplace

Fireplace in the billiard room on the 1st floor

Original light fittings over the billiard table

The original light fittings above where the billiard table stood

Tiles around the fireplace in the Billiard Room

Original William Morris tiles in the billiard room

Master bedroom fireplace and wardrobes - now part of the school library

Master bedroom with fireplace in centre - the original built in wardrobes still remain either side

Fireplace in the dressing room

A lovely fireplace in the dressing room

2nd floor children's bedroom

The Nannies rooms on the second floor

2nd floor children's bedroom still with bars on the windows

Bars on the windows from when it was a bedroom

2nd floor children's bedroom where George Singer has been seen!

The children's bedroom on the 2nd floor where at least two people have seen what is believed to be the ghost of George Singer

Gardens towards Allesley

View towards Allesley from bedroom with fountain in the distance

Elaborate artwork on the down pipes

The elaborate down pipes

Coundon Court

Early photograph of the house with all original roof intact
©  R. Hoare

Singer Family at Coundon Court

The Singer family on the terrace
©  R. Hoare

Coundon Court

An early drawing of Coundon Court with fountain in foreground
©  R. Hoare

George Singer - 1901 Lord Mayor of Coventry

George Singer as Mayor of Coventry in 1901
©  R. Hoare

Many thanks to Richard Hoare for providing the period photographs

Copyright  © Warwickshire Industrial Archaeology Society 'WIAS' 2003 - 2010. All Rights Reserved.
Affiliated to the Association for Industrial Archaeology
Updated 07/04/2010