Building record 2853/21/1 - No. 31 West Street (Kings Cliffe House)

A mid 18th century house remodelled and extended during the early and late 19th century. The house is located on the southern side of West Street and is constructed of squared coursed limestone with a Collyweston slate roof with ashlar parapets and end and ridge chimney stacks. The street facade has a five window range of leaded casements to the first floor with a pair of canted bay windows to the ground floor centre. A two story canted bay window is situated to the right with a conical roof. Formerly known as Windmill House

{1} House. Mid C18 remodelled and extended early and late C19. Squared coursed limestone with Collyweston slate roof. Originally 2-unit plan with central hall, now irregular L-shape. 2 storeys with attic. 5-window range of leaded casements at first floor. Centre 3-windows are under stone lintels with keyblocks. Window to far left is under wood lintel. Pair of C19 canted bay windows, with flat roofs, to ground floor centre. Casement window, to far left. 2-storey, late C19, canted bay window with coni al roof, to far right. Central 6-panel door under stone lintel. Ashlar gable parapets and kneelers to right. Ashlar stacks at ridge and end. C19 one-bay extension, to left, has casement window with leaded lights, under shallow stone arches. Centre 3-bays have straight joints flanking, indicating extent of C18 house. Rear elevation has some leaded casements under wood lintels, to right, and late C19 gabled ring to left of centre. Interior: early C19 staircase with stick balustrade to upper landing. Arch-head wall cupboard, with panelled doors, in hall. Late C19 carved wooden fire surround in room to far right is by J. J. Bailey a local woodcarver. (RCHM: An Inventory of Architectural Monuments in North Northamptonshire: p105)

{3} The early 19th-century refitting includes a stair with turned newels, and the redecoration of the west room with a reeded cornice, moulded architraves and an elaborate fireplace enriched with anthemion motifs.

{4} The house belonged to the Howes family between some point before the 1841 Census, and 1924. It was when the house changed hands in 1924 that its name was changed from Windmill House to Kings Cliffe House. During the Second World War the house was requisitioned for use as a Women's Land Army Hostel.

{5} Undated photo, also four photos dated 1992;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 12/160 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, p.82 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN40683.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1984, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 105 (Series). SNN77384.

<4> Pick, A., 2014, Historic Recording of the Stable Block and Coach House to Kings Cliffe House, 31 West Street, Kings Cliffe, (checked) (Report). SNN109570.

<5> Photographs of buildings in King's Cliffe (Photographs). SNN112705.

<6> Historic England, Undated, KING'S CLIFFE HOUSE, KINGS CLIFFE, BF084198 (Archive). SNN114376.

Record last edited

Nov 23 2022 4:44PM