Lyttleton House

Lyttleton House is a house dating from circa 1680 to 1720, likely constructed in two phases with subsequent additions and alterations. These include early to mid-19th century replacement windows and interior panelling around 1945. The house is built of whitewashed brick in a Flemish bond pattern, featuring a plain tile roof, brick stacks with oversailing courses and pots, and renewed brick copings. It was probably originally designed with a through-passage plan, incorporating a central entrance to the main range, a range to the right, and an additional range parallel to the main range at the rear.

The main range is two storeys plus attics, with five first-floor windows. To the right is a two-storey range with a single window. The main range has a three-course first-floor band and a three-course band over the second floor. It features 6/6 flush-frame sash windows with timber sills throughout. Ground-floor windows have cambered arches, while first-floor windows have elliptical arches. There are three hipped attic dormers with casement windows. The central entrance has a five-panel door with the lower two panels being flush-beaded and the upper two glazed, an overlight with glazing bars, and a renewed hood. Stack chimneys are located at both ends of the main range. The range to the right has a 15/15 flush-frame sash window on the ground floor and a 10/15 sash window on the first floor, both under elliptical arches along with an end stack. A modillion eaves cornice extends over both ranges. The renewed gable ends have raised and coped details with kneelers at the left and right sides.

The interior ground floor now includes a large hall in the centre and to the right, featuring panelling and a staircase from the ground floor to the first floor. A chimneypiece, originally from the SS Olympic, was inserted around 1945. The original staircase from the first floor to the attic has onion-on-bobbin balusters and a closed string. A further service staircase is also present. Interior features include chamfered beams, some boxed beams, and elm floors. There are three two-panel doors with HL hinges, along with some six-panel doors. The attic contains plank doors, exposed trenched purlins and principal rafters, and walls with close studding.

Historically, the house was used as a school by Francis Reeve, and was attended by the composer Edward Elgar. “Lyttleton” was the maiden name of Reeve's mother.