Listed Building: The Courthouse (1226138)

Former Courthouse, now house. Late C15 and late C16 with early C18 and C20 additions. Limestone rubble and timber framing; stone slate roof; stone and brick stacks. Irregular L-plan. C15 section of 3-unit cross passage type. 2 storeys and attic; 5 bays. Doorway in third bay from left has C15 moulded oak jambs, 4-centred arch and ledged door. To the right is the wood lintel of a blocked window and a 12-light window with moulded oak mullions, similar lintel and leaded lights. First floor of this section is close studded and jettied over the stone wall below with two C15 wooden windows each of 2 lights and blocked traceried heads. The stone section to the left has a moulded wooden string between the first-floor windows and 2- and 3-light wooden casements with wooden lintels. Late C16 extension to left at rear: Limestone rubble with stone slate roof. Two storeys one bay with 5-light wood mullioned and transomed window on first floor at rear. Interior: ground floor has two C15 stone fireplaces with moulded jambs and 4-centred arch. East room has fireplace with deeply moulded oak jambs and 4-centred arch. Late C16 stair- case with flat pierced balusters and newel posts with ball finials. Smaller staircase to west with similar balusters. Court room was probably on first floor left of entrance and has moulded tie beams and stone fireplace with 4- centred arch. Arch braced roof is exposed with curved windbraces. C18 extension of 2 storeys to west at rear to provide corridor access to main rooms. C20 one-storey extension at rear to east. Former Manorial Court House converted to a dwelling in the late C16. (Wood-Jones R.B. 'Traditional Domestic Architecture in the Banbury Region'. May 1963, pp234-7. Plans and sections Fig. 69 and 68).

Record last edited

Sep 5 2023 11:02AM