Guy'S Cliffe House

GUY'S CLIFFE 10/372 Guy's Cliffe House

20.8.51

GV II

Circa 1751-57 house with substantial additions of 1813-24 and small addition of 1898. The later alterations and additions have obscured the exterior of the mid C18 house except south front which faces courtyard. This is of ashlar, of two storeys with semi-basement below, and of seven bays. Windows are in moulded architraves. Central porch has in front a large platform which leaves the rusticated basement clear. Between 1813-24 the north and west sides of the earlier house were much altered. North (river) front raised in height and two projecting bay windows became tower like features with ogee headed gables between them. West front given central turret flanked by ogee headed gables. After 1819 an arcaded verandah added to west front and west wing extended at both ends. Additions on east side included a kitchen wing in Gothic style which forms connecting link between house and chapel. In 1898 a four storeyed polygonal tower added on courtyard side of west wing. In 1952 the interior of the house was stripped and by 1966 the roof had fallen in. Now in an advanced state of decay apart from the Gothic kitchen wing which is used by the Masons as a dining room. The house has associations with Sarah Siddons, Ruskin and others. To the south of the house, a range of stables built into the rock face with arcaded ashlar front.

Listing NGR: SP2928666829