Oversley House

Oversley House is a former workhouse, dating to 1837, and now converted to retirement housing. It was altered in 1984. The building is constructed of red brick, with the front facade faced in limestone ashlar, and has a slate roof with stone and brick chimneys. The plan is complex, consisting of a main front range and separate single-story pavilions connected by linking walls. Behind these are four wings radiating from a central, octagonal section, with a further range attached at right angles to the front range. The architectural style is severe and simple, incorporating classical elements.

The front range is three stories high with an eleven-window facade. The central five bays project. A heavy porch has corner piers, a cornice, and a parapet, featuring a late 20th-century door. The windows are late 20th-century imitation sash windows with glazing bars. A sill band runs along the first floor, and a simple cornice sits above. The centre of the front facade is topped with a parapet inscribed with lettering. The single-story pavilions feature a recessed centre with a single window, surmounted by a pediment containing a small circular opening. A pedestrian opening with a basket arch is present in the linking wall.

The rear of the building features a rendered ground floor up to half-height, and tile roofs. The three-story octagon and two-story wings are arranged with a six-window range on all sides, with one wing having a four-window range. The octagon has windows set in the re-entrant sides. These windows, along with other openings, are late 20th-century casements with glazing bars, and include doors and porches. Gauged brick flat arches are visible. The octagon has a hipped roof and a square cupola. The canted angles of the cupola have sunk panels. The southwest face of the cupola has a clock, while the other faces have round-arched, louvred openings. A lead roof covers the cupola, which also has a weathervane with scrollwork. The cupola and weathervane are believed to be from the 17th century, originally from Studley Castle. A parapet inscription states that the stone used in the building’s construction was gifted by Sir Charles Throckmorton. The interior has not been inspected.