Ashford Hall

ASHFORD BOWDLER

SO57SW Ashford Hall 482-1/9/8 12/11/54

GV II*

Country house. c1760, extended 1771 to sides and rear. Built for Edward Hall. Brick with modillioned cornice below parapet, hipped slate roof. Double-pile core with extension wings each side and long rear extension to right. EXTERIOR: 3 storeys and attic. East front is 7-window range with central 3-window bay advanced under pedimented parapet with modillioned apex, 6/6 sashes with moulded cases, with 3/3 sashes at second floor, with gauged brick lintels and stone sills. Nearly half of sashes are blind: internally-blocked openings retaining crown glass. Central portico with open pediment, interrupted Doric entablature and 2 Tuscan columns and pilasters. 4-panelled door with upper panels glazed and fanlight with radial glazing-bars. Roof with plain brick chimneys, lateral to front range, with ridge and parapet stack to rear. Left return side: 4-window range. 2-window bay to right added in 1771 as a projecting extension. 6/6 sashes with 3/3 at second floor as for front. Tall niche set between windows of projecting bays with large mullioned ground-floor tripartite sash arranged 4/6:8/12:4/6. Rear: Rear extension to left. 2-window range to right. 6/6 sash, and 10/6 round-headed sash to staircase with radial glazing bars. 3/3 sashes to second floor. Restored 6/6 sash at ground level and C20 door with fanlight and canopy. Right return side: 8-window range. 2-window bay to left added in 1771 as a projecting extension, the remaining window bays forming 4 bays of 1771 rear extension. Sash windows as for front. Rear extension end wall: 2 blind sashes obscured at ground and part of first floor by single-storey service extension with hipped tiled roof. Rear extension south wall: 3-window range with 6/6 sashes with 3/3 at second floor, part obscured to centre right by 3-storey C19 bathroom turret with segmental-arched sashes. At ground level is a C20 porch and lean-to extensions. INTERIOR: sash boxes generally intact, 6-panelled doors with reeded doorcases. Dining room to north: vine leaf pattern cornice with flower and ribbon pattern dado rail over raised panelling with foliate beading. Inserted late C18 fireplace. Central hall: oak open-string staircase with 3 steps per tread, turned balusters and curtail steps, mahogany handrail. Oak dado panelling. Drawing room to south: corn sheaf and poppy pattern on cornice and deep moulded skirting. Rococo-style fireplace and overmantel.

Listing NGR: SO5133971148