Building record 3608/3/1 - The Manor House

A manor house with 13th century origins. The house was built in 16th century, the porch is dated 1648 (for Roger Charnock), the garden front is of the 18th century and there is a 19th century addition to the rear. The building is of rectangular coursed and square coursed ironstone with Collyweston and Welsh slate roofs. Originally it was probably in a 3-unit plan with the lobby entry extended to an L-shape, it is now double depth. The three storey porch breaks forward and has an arch head opening with a moulded pendant key block. The single storey outhouse to the rear is the 19th century addition. There is evidence of an underground passage to the Church of All Saints.

{1} Manor house. C13 origins, C16 house, porch dated 1648/RCA for Roger Charnock, garden front C18, C19 addition to rear. Regular coursed and squared coursed ironstone with Colleyweston and Welsh slate roofs. Originally probably 3-unit plan with lobby-entry extended to L-shape now double depth. 2 storeys with attic. Entrance front of 4-window range. 3-storey porch breaking forward to left has arch head opening with moulded pendant keyblock. Door is ribbed and studded with a semi circular fielded panel and inscription to lintel 1648/RAC/WT. Plank door to right under wood lintel. First floor windows to far left and right are 3-light stone mullion, others are C19 three-light casements and a C19 sash in a C18 opening. Ashlar gable parapet, kneelers and finial to right, hipped roof to left. Ashlar stack at ridge with moulded cornice. C19 single-storey outhouse attached to right. Garden front to left of entrance front is of 5-window range of C19 sash windows in C18 openings with stone lintels locks. Central opening at first floor has arch head, similar ground floor opening is blank. Eaves parapet and hipped roof. Rear elevation to left of garden front has C17 gable with C19 two-bay addition attached. Side elevation to right of entrance front has 4-light stone-mullioned window. Interior: entrance passage cut through central stack leads to inner hall with C18 staircase with 2 turned balusters per tread. 6-panelled door. Dining room to left of entrance has C17 panelling and remains of open fireplace with bressumer. Kitchen to right of entrance has similar remains of open fireplace and moulded spine beam. Lounge to rear of hall has early C17 panelling reputedly reset in 1648. C17 open fireplace with moulded wood and stone surrounds and armourial fireback. C18 alcove to right of fireplace. Dining room and lounge have evidence of C17 stud holes to ceiling beams. Back staircase is C17 winder with two 3-light stone-mullioned windows, now internal. First floor: rooms to left and right of main landing have C18 panelling and fireplace surrounds, one with Delft tiles. Porch room has fragments of C17 panelling. 2 rooms to right of porch room have C17 panelling and some plank and muntin screens with matching doors. Attic staircase has C17 turned balustrade. Roof structure is trenched purlin with original trusses. C18 features probably date from remodelling documented between 1715 and 1720. Evidence survives of underground passage to Church of All Saints. (Research by Mr & Mrs Eades at Northamptonshire Records Office).

{3} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 2/132 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1986, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G05 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN100394.

<3> Photographs of buildings in Great Harrowden (Photographs). SNN112509.

<4> Historic England, Undated, MANOR HOUSE, ORLINGBURY ROAD, GREAT HARROWDEN, BF099436 (Archive). SNN115827.

Record last edited

Dec 22 2023 11:08AM