Upper Wyhall

WALFORD CP - SO 52 SE

4/64 Upper Wythall

18.5.53 GV II*

House. C16 and early C17 with possible C15 remains. Timber-framing and sandstone rubble with tile roofs. Irregular plan with taller early C17 block at east end. Earlier part, adjoining to south, has recessed centre with two gabled cross-wings. Framing exposed on north side. Eastern range, of two storeys with attic, has two gables with a gabled stair tower projecting fowards between them. This is close-studded with straight tension braces, has a tall stair window, and a gabled garderobe jettied on two sides at attic level. The exposed trusses have V-struts above collar. Under the right-hand gable is a single-storey porch re-assembled from old material, including timber posts carved with columnsand jetty brackets, stone Tuscan columns and a stone shield of arms. Stone chimney stack near centre of range. The western part of the house is of two storeys and is framed in square panels. The western cross-wing projects forwards further and has a late C17 stone lean-to against its left-hand return wall. The present doorway to the recessed centre is to the left of this lean-to. Chimney to left of recessed centre. The west wall of the wing has the exposed end of a main ceiling joist lodged on a rail, suggesting that it may be an insertion. The rear wall of the east range is underbuilt with stone on the ground floor and rendered above. It has timber cross-windows. The rear wall of the west range is entirely clad with stone. Interior: the east range has some exposed ovolo-moulded and stopped beams. The western rear room is lined with early C17 square panelling with a decorated frieze and has a fireplace with bolection moulded surround and Bristol Delft tiles: The eastern room has early C18 raised and fielded panels with dado rail. The spiral stair is of oak. On the first floor the eastern room has plaster vine scroll frieze. An early C17 oak overmantel has two arched panels and carved figures. The eastern cross-wing of the western range is heated by a wide stone fireplace. A blocked doorway with canted head in a cupboard beside the fireplace suggests that it may occupy a former cross-passage and that the east cross-wing may be rebuilt or extended. The first floor has been removed from the central hall of this range. The two western principal posts have chamfer stops on each side of the empty mortices for the main floor joists, suggesting that the hall was always ceiled. However, the upper part of the eastern truss, which has V-struts above a collar, appears to be smoke-blackened. The western cross-wing is independently framed.

Listing NGR: SO5968920745