Ash Hall

WHITCHURCH RURAL C.P. ASH MAGNA SJ 53 NE 5/17 Ash Hall 28.10.60 - II*

Farmhouse. Circa 1710-20. Mid-to late C19 addition at rear. Red brick with grey sandstone ashlar dressings. Hipped plain tile roof, 2-span to rear. Square plan. 2 storeys and attic over basement. Plinth with moulded stone top, flush stone quoins and string course, moulded and carved modillion eaves cornice and pair of brick ridge stacks, off-centre to left and right. 2:1:2 bays; central bay flanked by a giant Corinthian order consisting of unfluted pilasters supporting short sections of entablature, eaves cornice breaking forward above and small triangular pediment which has circular window with moulded architrave in tympanum. C18 boxed glazing bar sashes with moulded stone cills and gauged-brick heads. Central pair of C18 oak doors with 4 raised and fielded panels each, 4-part rectangular overlight, and stone doorcase consisting of moulded lugged architrave with raised keystone, pulvinated frieze, flanking panelled pilaster strips with carved consoles and segmental pediment, with broken-back centre and cornice breaking forward over keystone. 2 stone steps up to door. Left-hand return front: 4 bays; wooden cross windows and glazing bar sashes. Pair of lead-covered flat-roofed dormers with 2-light wooden casements. C18 oak door in second bay from right with 8 raised and fielded panels, 2-part rectangular overlight, pegged oak frame with double-quirked corner beading and flat hood with carved wooden console brackets. Right-hand return front: 3 bays; glazing bar sashes. Rear: plinth, plat band between ground and first floors, and parapet, straight between gable apices, with stone coping and shaped kneelers. Central full-height round-arched recess. 2:2:2 bays; wooden cross windows and glazing bar sashes. Pair of square basement windows with chamfered stone reveals. C19 two-storey rear wing; brick ridge stack; 2-window front to south-east. Interior: mainly early C18 fittings including 3-flight square-well oak staircase with landings, open string with cut brackets, Fluted column-on-vase balusters (2 per tread), and moulded handrail with curved ramps, wreathed (quarter splay) to fluted columnular foot newel. Right-hand ground-floor front room: bolection-moulded panelling with dado rail and moulded cornice. Window seats. Left-hand ground-floor front room: reused C17 panelling with fluted frieze and early C18 moulded cornice. Right-hand ground-floor rear room: mid-C18 fireplace consisting of lugged architrave with egg and dart enrichment, carved frieze with central urn, scrollwork and paterae at each end, and cornice with egg and dart enrichment. Early C18 doors throughout with raised and fielded panels and moulded architraves. Occupant reports (October 1986) that 3 bedrooms have full bolection- moulded panelling (not inspected at time of resurvey). This is complete and well-detailed example of an early C18 Farmhouse.

Listing NGR: SJ5706339854