Listed Building: WOODFORD HOUSE AND ATTACHED COTTAGES AND OUTBUILDINGS (1266038)

Country house. Probably mid C18, remodelled and extended 1813 (datestone) for Charles Arbuthnot M.P., extended c.1900 for Plevens family. Squared coursed lias and limestone ashlar, with slate roof. Double-depth plan. 2 storeys with attic. Entrance front centre range of 4 windows. Central late C19 columned porch with glazed door. Late C19 sash windows in earlier openings with gauged stone heads. Raised string course between floors. Shallow hipped roof with roof dormers on returns. Wooden dentille cornice and brick stacks at ridge. Datestone below eaves. 3-window range to right, set back from main front, was probably added early C19. French windows at ground floor and plain sash windows at first floor, all under gauged stone heads. Dentilled cornice and hipped roof. First floor windows to centre range and range to right have wooden shutters. Irregular 5-window range set back to left of centre in similar style, with staircase windows between floors to right. The first floor of this ran e is a different build to the ground floor. Similar range is attached at right angles to left, with a 3-storey tower with pyramid roof to right, and single-storey range terminating with a pyramid roof. Oculus in tower with 4 keyblocks has C20 clockface. Rear elevation or garden front is a similar 5-window range of sash windows with tall openings to ground floor. String course between floors. Late C19 polygonal conservatory to centre is formed with ashlar piers between sash window openings. c. 900 billiards room attached to right has polygonal end in similar style. Former stables attached to left of entrance front now form 2 cottages and outbuildings. Interior: entrance hall has C18 style staircase with turned balusters, which probably dates from c.1900 remodelling. Similar secondary staircase to left. Duke's drawing room to far right of entrance has moulded plaster ceiling. Other rooms have moulded cornices. The Duke of Wellington was a frequent guest of the Arbuthnots and the 3-bay extension to the north of the main front was his accomodation, including a drawing room and study. The Duke of Wellington likened the surrounding countryside to that of Waterloo and the Round House, Thrapston Road, (q.v.) commemorates the battle. Drawings at Northamptonshire Records Office show alterations proposed by W. Martyn Meer of 1899 and landscape proposals by W. Innes Stuckey of 1909, only partially carried out. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.467).

Record last edited

Jul 25 2023 4:38PM