New House

SO 51 NE GOODRICH CP -

6/12 New House

II* 18.5.53

Former vicarage, now farmhouse. Dated 1636. Sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings, slate roof, timber-framed internal walls. Unusual Y-shaped plan of 3 radiating wings to north, south-east and south-west, each with external lateral stack, main entrance in north-east face of south-east wing. Three storey canted bay to gable end of south-west wing later extension with further C20 lean-to to west return of north wing. Three storeys and basement; chamfered plinth and two moulded string courses, raised verges and shaped corbels, stone mullioned windows with hoodmoulds and metal casements throughout. North-east entrance elevation: 2-storey gabled porch (restored C20) abuts to left of stack, 3-light window with leaded casements below gable, porch supported on two Doric columns, date inscribed on capital of right column, 4-centred arched doorway set in square-headed opening with chamfered jambs, heavy ledged door, one 3-light window and one 4-light window below to east return face of north wing. Interior: greatly altered; 3 stone fireplaces with chamfered jambs and 4-centred arched heads to ground floor and one on first floor of south-east wing. Ovolo stop-chamfered ceiling beams and partly-exposed internal timber-framing. The panelled staircase mentioned by the RCHM is no longer extant. Probably built for the Rev Thomas Swift, a staunch Royalist, who was rector of the Parish at that time, father of the author Jonathan Swift. The Y-plan is an interesting conceit, possibly alluding to the Trinity. (RCHM, Vol I, p 80/1).

Listing NGR: SO5633519528