Churchill House

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SP0857 4/65

ALCESTER HENLEY STREET (west side) Churchill House

01/02/67

GV II* House. Early C17 (VCH); front range inscribed TLE 1688 on lead rainwater heads. Timber framed with some close studding, lath and plaster and whitewashed brick infill. Front range red brick with brick sill band at first floor. Wood modillion and egg and dart cornice. Old tile roofs; brick chimneys.

L-plan. Two storeys and attic; five window range. Off centre C17 six-panelled door and overlight with decorative glazing in moulded wood surround. Ground floor has two wide rectangular bay windows of paired sixteen-pane sashes, the right one also with sash door on right. Stone quoins. Wood dentil cornice, continued over entrance, and moulded wood, cornice and roof continued across entire facade. At either end of this are small slate hipped roofs, not wholly in line with the bay windows. First floor has central doorway to balcony. Double-leaf four-panelled door in rich doorcases bolection moulded architrave and sunk panels, with acanthus leaf consoles and enriched entablature with egg and dart moulding. Open scroll pediment with pineapple motif in centre. Sash windows with egg and dart moulded frames. Attic has three flat-roofed roof dormers with leaded light casements and egg and dart cornices.

Rear almost entirely of exposed framing with some close studding. Low timber framed wing to left. Gabled wing on right has jowled post. Long wing beyond this of two stages with separate roofs. First stage timber framed but partly faced in whitewashed brick; rear of wing largely brick faced. Second, tall stage has some wattle and daub and some whitewashed brick infill; formerly stabling, now incorporated into the house. Irregular fenestration.

Interior: ground floor room on left at the front has early C17 panelling and corner fireplace with carved overmantel with enriched pilasters etc. Dog leg staircase with winders has twisted balusters. First floor room on left at front has late C17 panelling with broad panels and double-leaf doors to stairs and balcony. Rich high relief plasterwork ceiling dated 1688, with initials TLE. Central oval wreath of flowers and foliage within a rectangle; spandrels with flower and foliage scrolls. Frieze of bouquets and ribbons and central cartouche to each wall. In rear wings exposed framing. Room with broad open fireplace and chamfered bressumer; another with mid C18 carved chimney piece. Both rooms have stepped stop-chamfered beams dividing ceilings into panels. Front range has projecting wood sign bracket with scrollwork.

Listing NGR: SP0905857520