Building record 4341/6/1 - Wilderness House

House. Datestone 1773

{1} House. Datestone 1773. Squared coursed lias with slate roof laid in diminishing courses. Originally probably 3-unit plan, now two. 2-storey, 4-window range of early C20 casements with leaded lights under shallow brick arches. C19 glazed door to left of centre has moulded stone surround with bracketed entablature. Ashlar gable parapets, that to right has ball finial. Brick stacks at ridge and end. Datestone in right gable has lunette window below. Interior: not inspected but noted as having C19 staircase. Rooms to left and right of entrance have panelled doors and shutters.

{2} Stone-built house with slate roof. Datestone of 1773. Its original function within the parkland is not clear.

{3} This seems to be securely dated on its end gable '1778', but there are certain features about it which suggest it is C17th in origin. There are, although severly decayed, bracket kneelers at the end of a C17th type and internally several chamfered beams which could be that early. It has been plausibly suggested that the building was once a mill, and its tall proportion fits the idea. If the building does have a C17th mill origin, it probably was converted into a farm house at a reasonably early date and certainly by 1778. Complete refurbishment was undertaken in 1933 by Paul Phipps, Mrs. Tree's (the then owner) uncle.

{4} The present appearance of Wilderness House is very similar to many other extant 18th century mill houses. This, combined with its situation adjacent to the River Ise, the apparently artificial nature of the course of the river here and its proximity to the former village all suggest that this is the site of a medieval water-mill which continued in use into the post medieval period. A detailed examination of the building and its associated stuctures should confirm this.

{5} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/59 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G02 p.25 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<3> Bailey B.A., Wilderness Farm, Including Wilderness House and Keeper's Cottage, (unchecked) (Extract). SNN104910.

<4> Taylor C.C., 2000, Kelmarsh Estate Report, (checked) (Report). SNN101314.

<5> Photographs of buildings in Kelmarsh (Photographs). SNN112703.

Record last edited

Jun 24 2025 3:45PM