Building record 727/0/176 - No.33 Brackley Road (Park House)

{1} House. Early C19, with later C19 extension. Red brick in Flemish bond. Hipped slate roof, brick lateral stacks. 2-unit central staircase plan. 2-storey, 3-window range. Central 4-panel part-glazed double-leaf door with overlight, panelled reveals and pilastered wood surround and cornice/hood. 12-pane sash windows to ground and first floors with gauged brick lintels. Central bay breaks forward slightly. Plinth and deep overhanging eaves. Lower 2-storey extension to left. Right side and rear elevations have flared headers. Part-glazed central door to rear has moulded wood surround. 16-pane sash windows to rear to ground and first floors, except for large 18-pane sash to first floor centre lighting staircase, all with gauged brick lintels. Interior noted as having stone diamond-patterned paved staircase hall with open-well staircase. Staircase has stick balusters, carved tread ends and steep ramped and wreathed mahogany handrail.

{6} The House was erected on a ‘green field’ site between 1846 and 1848 as a residence for Thomas White Gurney who was of independent means. His house was two storey, constructed of brick and slate. To the side there was a single storey extension which probably contained the kitchen. A former roadway on the west side gave access to stables and a paddock of about 1 acre. It was within this paddock that a large floral and horticultural exhibition was held in 1858.
Chronological table presented showing sequence of owners/occupiers, illustrations and sources.

{7} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/118 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F08 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> 1806, Estate Map (NRO Map 2923), (unchecked) (Map). SNN59501.

<4> 1830 (circa), Map of Towcester (NRO Map 2922), (unchecked) (Map). SNN73997.

<5> CLARKE G., 1850 (circa), George Clarke Collection, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN71845.

<6> Giggins B., 2014, Historic Towcester Survey: 33 Brackley Road (Park House) (Report). SNN109395.

<7> Photographs of buildings in Towcester (Photographs). SNN114425.

Record last edited

Dec 6 2024 10:05AM