Building record 1168/5/2 - Manor House & Manor Cottage

Originally built as a gatehouse or lodge in the early 1600's. Converted into farmhouse, now two dwellings.

{1} Gatehouse, converted into farmhouse, now 2 dwellings. Early C17 with early C18, C19 and C20 alterations and additions. Coursed squared limestone, plain-tile roof, brick ridge stack and stone end stacks with brick flues. 2 storeys and attic; 3-window range. 3 unit plan. Former entrance front faces garden to east and has central C20 4-light stone mullion window with hood mould. Hood mould of former carriage arch survives at higher level. Panel with arms of the Spencers of Wormleighton in rectangular stone surround above latter hood mould. 4-light wood mullion window to ground floor left, two C20 2-light stone mullion windows to ground floor right with hood moulds. 4-light hollow-chamfered stone mullion windows to 1st floor with hood moulds. Chamfered plinth, quoins and stone-coped gables with kneelers. Gabled stair turret to right side. Original range doubled to rear by late C18/early C19 range to rear. Further C19 extension to right of rear range (Manor Cottage). Interior: open fireplace with bar stop-chamfered bressumer. Stone fireplace with chamfered Tudor-arched head. Four-light hollow-chamfered stone mullion windows to 1st floor left and right of former rear elevation, now internal. Tudor-arched stone doorway with cut spandrels. Collar truss roof. The manor house belonging to the Spencers of Wormleighton, to which the gatehouse formerly led, was demolished c.1703. Its materials were used for the construction of the Rectory (q.v. Wicken Country Hotel). (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire: 1973, p461; C.S. Dickin Moore: Wicken Church: 1967, p4)

{5} Analysis, plan & photographs. Originally built as a gatehouse or lodge in the early 1600s. Subsequently altered, extended and used as a dwelling associated with Manor Farm. A lime-ash floor in the central attic room is a rare survival, as is the solid oak stepped stair.

Confirmation for an open lower central section (when the building was a gatehouse) is viewed in the cellar from where the remains of the springing for an arch can be seen. This would give an open arch estimated to be approximately 2.4m wide.

{6} Two undated photos, also photo dated 11.11.1993;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 17/126 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F11 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.461 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Dickin Moore C.S., 1967, Wicken Church, p.4 (unchecked) (Guide). SNN103148.

<5> de Broise A., 2005, The Whittlewood Project: Historic Buildings Survey, Wicken (Report). SNN105037.

<6> Photographs of buildings in Wicken (Photographs). SNN114205.

<7> Woodfield, P, 2003, The Whittlewood Project: Phase 1 rapid survey of all buildings within the 12 parishes of the survey, identifying buildings that have, or are likely to have, fabric dating from before 1700 (Report). SNN116636.

Record last edited

Oct 24 2024 9:07AM