Building record 6804/1/2 - Tudor House, Wicken Park

Built in 1614 by the Spencer family. House, now flats. Coursed limestone rubble, plain-tile roof, brick end stacks on stone bases.

{1} House, now flats. Dated 1614 with C18 and C20 alterations. Coursed limestone rubble, plain-tile roof, brick end stacks on stone bases. 2 storeys and attic, 4-window range. T plan. Main front faces south and has double-leaf C20 dormers to left of centre and to far right with overlights and stop-chamfered wood lintels. 3-light C20 casement windows to ground floor with wood lintels except for cross window to left of far right door with stone lintel. 3-light leaded casement to 1st floor left. 4-light, chamfered leaded stone mullion windows to 1st floor with some blocked lights. Similar window to central 1st floor dormer, with datestone above. Panel with Spencer coat of arms and supporters to 1st floor centre. Chamfered plinth, stone-coped gables with kneelers. Full-height gabled stair turret to centre rear. First floor door to this turret has plank door with chamfered basket-arched stone surround. Interior has chamfered spine beams. Converted into stables for Wicken Park Country House probably in eighteenth century. The ground floor became a gymnasium when Wicken Park became a school.

{3} This building is variously described as 'stables' and as 'lodge'. The 1717 Hosier map {4} indicates 'the park houses' and this building bears a remarkable resemblance to the main building shown on that map.

{5} Undated photo, also photo dated 11.11.1993;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 9/122 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

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

<3> de Broise A., 2005, The Whittlewood Project: Historic Buildings Survey, Wicken (Report). SNN105037.

<4> Robert Kershaw, 1717, Map of Wicken (Map). SNN20486.

<5> Photographs of buildings in Wicken (Photographs). SNN114205.

<6> 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 9:09AM