SNN117054 - WADENHOE HOUSE, WADENHOE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: Historic Building Recording

This report presents the results of a programme of Historic Building Recording undertaken by Witham Archaeology at Wadenhoe House, Wadenhoe, Northamptonshire. The project was commissioned by Ross Thain Architects, to meet the requirements of a Condition included with Listed Buildings Consent (Planning Ref. 17/02299/LBC) and planning permission (17/02298/FUL) granted by East Northamptonshire District Council. Wadenhoe House is a Grade II Listed Building (National Heritage List No. 1265354) dating from the 17th century with 18th and 19th century additions. The earlier part of the house, comprising a main range and cross-wing, incorporates a datestone displaying the date 1657. The house was later extended to the south-west, probably in the late 18th century and a major programme of construction and refurbishment was undertaken in 1858, for the owner at the time, George Ward Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Disraeli. The investigations outlined in the current study revealed evidence of a raised or upper cruck structure at garret level in the seventeeth century cross-wing, in contrast to the staggered butt-purlin roof structure in the main 17th century range built in 1657 (according to the datestone in the front elevation). This suggests an earlier date for the cross-wing, possibly according with the date 1631 incised on a stone incorporated into a later structure. Given its relatively small footprint, it is possible that the cross-wing originated as an addition to an earlier structure on the footprint of the 1657 range. A stone mullioned window revealed during works in the garret of the cross-wing indicates a gable in its long wall, in line with the end of the c. 1657 range. It is not clear whether this gable was part of the original fabric of the cross-wing, or whether it was added during the 1657 works. The main range features a lobby entry opposite a central chimney stack with rooms to either side, chambers above and garrets, in a typical 17th century arrangement usually seen at prosperous yeoman farmer or local manorial level. Only one of the downstairs rooms appears to have been heated from the main chimney stack. Some combination of hall, parlour and kitchen are usually found at ground floor in this type of arrangement, with the first-floor chambers serving as bedrooms for the family and the garret space often housing the servants. Stone mullioned two light windows at the ends of the downstairs front elevation indicate some partitioning of the areas. One of these areas probably would have served as a pantry. The house was added to in the late 18th century, through the construction a new two-storey block with basements on the south-west side. Construction of this building with its basements would have generated a significant quantity of spoil which may have contributed towards ground raising in front of the 17th century structure, thereby establishing its ground floor rooms as a service area partly shielded from view. The ground floor rooms in the extension may have functioned as a drawing room and dining room, while the upstairs rooms would have become the principal bedrooms. A room located over the stairs and extending into the roof space could have served as a child’s bedroom or nursery. The Victorian parts of the house, apparently built for George Ward Hunt in around 1858, are distinguished by their relatively large size and grandeur. The main staircase between ground and first floors in the 18th century wing may have been altered as part of these refurbishments, possibly replacing a simpler Georgian design (matching a late Georgian/Regency staircase to the second-floor room?) with the extant twisted balusters and toad’s back handrail.