Building record 305/3/1 - Manor House

Manor House. Early C18. Built for the Gostelowe family. Enlarged mid C19 and c.1936 by Oliver Hill. Ironstone ashlar, limestone quoins and dressings, stone slate roof, stone stacks.

{1} Manor House. Early C18. Built for the Gostelowe family. Enlarged mid C19 and c.1936 by Oliver Hill. Ironstone ashlar, limestone quoins and dressings, stone slate roof, stone stacks. C18 house has double depth plan. C19 and C20 additions to rear forming rectangular plan with small courtyard. South front (original entrance): 2 storeys and cellar, 5 bays. 3 central bays project under large open segmental pediment and urn. Central doorway approached by 4 semi-circular stone steps has eared architrave framed by Ionic columns, pulvinated frieze and scroll pediment enclosing oval cartouche with coat of arms of Rebecca Orelebar who married Richard Gostelowe, 1696. C20 glazed door. Windows on either side have moulded stone frames and 8-pane sashes. First floor windows have similar frames and 15-pane sashes. In outer bay to left is C20 bay window on ground floor. 8-pane sash window in right outer bay. 20-pane sashes in moulded frames. Outer bays, first floor have moulded stone entablature. Hipped roof. Left (west) side, now main entrance, remodelled C19 and C20. 2 storeys, 3 bays. Central stone porch with straight parapet, and entrance with moulded segmental arch with keystone. Half glazed double doors with side lights and fanlight. Inner doorway similar. C19 windows on outer side with segmental stone heads and sashes with side lights. Similar windows on first floor. Wing to left C19, 2 storeys, 3 bays with hipped roof. Sash windows with segmental heads on ground floor and bay window in second bay from right. Sash windows on first floor with triagular pediments. East front, 2 storeys, 5 bays, has central 2-storey bay window flanked by windows with moulded stone frames and 16-pane sashes. Extension to right C20. Two storeys, 4 bays. Interior: Remodelled c.1936 by Oliver Hill. Hall enlarged to include room on left and scagliola columns were introduced, framing approach to staircase. Early C18 staircase with twisted balusters and carved tread ends. Drawing Room to right has early C18 bolection moulded panelling and bolection moulded stone fireplace. Double E-panelled doors to study, also with bolection panelling. Smoking Room, left of hall has C20 panelling and fireplaces Present dining room formed out of old kitchen. Gardens laid out c.1936 by Oliver Hill. The Manor was purchased from the Kirton family c.1685 by Thomas Gostelowe of Wardington, (died 1702). He was succeeded by his son Richard Gastelowe who married Rebecca Orlebar 1696, their son, also Richard sold the estate 1723-4. The house was used as a preparatory school for Eton, 1854-82. The Old Manor House, damaged in the civil war, stood west of the church. (G.T. Baker, Northamptonshire 1822-41, Vol.1, p.718-24, A. 0swald, 'Thorpe Mandeville Manor', Country Life 20th August 1938).

{4} The original entrance to the house was on the south side. Sunday School was held at the house for a time and alterations were made about 1852-3 to turn the house into a boarding school, which it was used as until 1882.

{5} Undated photo;

{8} The old manor house of Thorpe Mandeville was perhaps replaced by the present one in the early 18th century.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 7/229 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F02 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Country Life, 1938, Thorpe Mandeville Manor gardens, (checked) (Photographic prints (B&W)). SNN108121.

<4> Unknown, 1896, A History of The Parish of Thorpe Mandeville, (checked) (Chapter). SNN55175.

<5> Photographs of buildings in Thorpe Mandeville (Photographs). SNN113592.

<6> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.207 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<7> Unknown, 1896, A History of The Parish of Thorpe Mandeville, (unchecked) (Chapter). SNN55175.

<8> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.146 Site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<11> Country Life, 1938, Thorpe Mandeville Manor gardens (Photographic prints (B&W)). SNN108121.

Record last edited

Oct 12 2023 9:38AM