Ipsley Court (South Wing)

Ipsley Court (South Wing) is the south wing of a large house, now used as unoccupied offices. It dates from the late 17th century, with earlier origins, and has been altered around 1724 and in the mid-18th century, with restoration and remodelling in the late 20th century. The building is constructed of handmade red brick in English bond, featuring a steeply-pitched machine-tiled hipped roof and a brick ridge stack. It has an L-plan layout, with the main part consisting of roughly six bays aligned east to west, and a single-bay return to the northwest. Notable features include a full-height canted bay window from the 18th century at the east end and two external chimneys on the south side, one of which retains some original brickwork. The building has two storeys and an attic with dormers, a chamfered plinth, a two-course band between the main storeys, and a prominent 18th-century style moulded and bracketed timber eaves cornice, which has been extensively restored. The fenestration is irregular, with all windows being 20th-century casements in new openings. The bay window addition is rendered and features 12-pane sash windows on both floors, along with three gabled dormers on the south side. The main entrance is located on the north side and includes a large 20th-century lean-to glazed porch.

Inside, the building has been extensively remodelled but retains its 17th-century dog-leg staircase with large turned balusters and a moulded handrail. At the rear of the north return, a stone 4-centred doorhead has been reset in the wall. Ipsley Court is believed to be the remains of the Great House built for Sir John Huband in the 16th century. The north return of the south wing was originally attached to the central part of the house, which was demolished in 1724 when it was sold to the Reverend John Dolben. In the mid-18th century, Dr Walter Landor, the father of poet W. S. Landor, restored the surviving south wing and north wing, the latter being altered to form a barn and stable. In the late 20th century, a new central section was built, linking the wings with brick walls.