Getting Around - Horses and Carriages
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The stables were an important
aspect of life at Soho. The Boulton family used their own hourses
and carriages for local journeys, but used public coaches for longer
trips.
| Matthew Boulton and his son both took a keen
interest in coach design, and bought many different models,
including a gig, chaise, tandem chaise, curricle, and britzka
that had space for reclining. The coaches were finely painted
in yellow and black, with the Boulton family crest on the side. |
| Right: The
Soho House Stables, drawn by John Phillp |
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Above: Sketches of curricle designs
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| The stable staff included coachmen to drive the
carriages, grooms to look after the horses, and footmen to attend
the travellers. They had to look smart and were all provided with
clother at the family's expense, purchased from tradesmen in Birmingham.
Footmen wore uniforms called 'liveries', that matched the colours
of the coaches. William Carrington, a groom hired in 1807, was given
two sets of clothes a year, including two coats, two waistcoats ,
leather and corduroy breeches, two pairs of boots, a stable jacket,
overalls and two hats. |
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Above: Design forBoulton's Stables at Soho House |
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