SNN114781 - Historic Building Survey: The Wren Wing, Easton Neston, Towcester, Northamptonshire

An historic building survey of the Wren Wing, Easton Neston House, Northamptonshire was carried out by ASC Ltd between September and December 2003. The survey was required following a fire in July 2002, in order to inform proposals for rebuilding this Grade I listed structure. The Wren Wing is the sole survivor of two matching wings flaking the forecourt of Easton Neston House. Research undertaken for the survey has indicated that the Wren Wing was probably not designed by Wren himself, as tradition suggests, but by a draughtsman in his employ. It also appears that the building was constructed at the same time as the cellars of the house, during the 1680s, to house other services, possibly a laundry and offices, as well as providing servants' accommodation including a kitchen, a parlour, a hall and numerous bedrooms. The interior plan and fabric of the building incurred a small number of alterations during the 19th century such as the sub-division of bedrooms on the first floor and attic. However, in the 19th century or early 20th century major changes were made to the layout of the building and its fabric. This included alterations to the north face of the main wing, insertion of exterior doorways, new windows, the construction of an extension to the north-west wing and the division of the west wing from the original main wing. It is also likely to have incorporated a remodelling of the roof and its dormer windows. Finally in the latter part of the 20th century, the modern walls were inserted as the building was converted for offices.