Wykes Manor

Wykes Manor is a farmhouse dating to 1680, built by Thomas Cowley, the founder of Donington School. It was altered and extended during the 18th and 19th centuries. The building is constructed of red brick in English bond and has a machine plain tiled and pantile roof, with a large axial ridge stack. It is arranged as a T-plan, being two storeys and a garret, with an irregular three-bay front (originally five bays). The front has a plinth and a first-floor band. The ground floor features two tall margin-light sashes, while a glazing bar sash illuminates the stair mezzanine at the centre. The first floor has three glazing bar sashes and two blocked openings, all with brick segmental arches. An ashlar datestone inscribed “TC1680” is set in the right-hand gable, with a fan above it. The initials “TC” appear in the tie plates. An offset right-hand gable is also visible. To the rear, an 18th-century single-storey kitchen range partially covers the site of the original entrance, featuring a six-panel door with overlight and a tripartite plain sash, both with segmental heads. Above this is a three-light dormer. A mid-19th century addition is located behind.

The interior contains a contemporary dogleg staircase with large turned balusters, a wide moulded handrail, large square panelled newels, and panelled risers. There is a bolection moulded panelled wall to the stair, and a small cellar beneath the stairs. A left-hand room has full-height bolection moulded panelling, a deeply moulded cornice, and a bolection moulded architrave to the door. On the first floor, a very fine room displays full-height bolection moulded pine panelling, a bolection moulded fireplace surround with a large 18th-century cast iron grate, a matching cornice and architrave to the doors, and double doors. Original H hinges are present on the doors. The roof structure consists of six bays of staggered butt purlins in sawn softwood, pegged, with rafters resting on posts. The chimneys join in an arch to form the ridge stack. Original planked doors and a stair partition remain. Two roll-moulded beams are visible in the former kitchen.