Wichenford Court

SO 75 NE WICHENFORD CP

3/126 Wichenford Court 12.11.51

GV II*

House. C15 origins, rebuilt in early C18, restored mid-C20. Brick on partly coursed sandstone rubble plinth, hipped tiled roof, 2 brick ridge stacks with oversailing cap courses to rear wings. Two storeys, cellar and attic with dormers; 3 course band between main storeys and dentilled eaves course. U-shaped plan of front range with 2 rear wings at each end and also 2 small wings at centre of rear. Seven bays; all windows are wooden cross casements with leaded lights; ground floor windows have flat, gauged brick arches; 2 gabled dormers with casements. Central panelled timber door, rectangular fanlight with central glazing bar, and flat canopy on 3 carved brackets. Windows in side elevations have cambered heads. Interior Roof timbers mainly reused from former timber-framed structure on site. East room on first floor has early C17 panelling and a carved overmantel. The central front room also has panelling, now painted white. A cupboard at the top of the stairs is lined with wallpaper c1735, in good condition and a rare survival. Many of the windows retain their wrought iron fasteners. C18 staircase replaced by mid-C20 one but balusters reused in rear extension above cellar stairs and in outbuilding (qv). A substantial medieval manor house originally stood on site, complete with moat, drawbridge and gatehouse. Form early C15 to late C17 the house belonged to Washbourne family and it is alleged that during the wars between Henry IV and Owen Glendower, a French nobleman was held captive in the house and subsequently murdered by Margaret Washbourne; a bloodstain is maintained on the landing to this day. The major rebuilding took place c1710. By the early C20 building had deteriorated and was sub-divided for farming purposes. The mid-C20 restoration included several rear additions and recreation of a formal garden.

Listing NGR: SO7878859839