Manor Farmhouse

TL 14NW WILLINGTON CHURCH END

4/113 Manor Farmhouse

GV II

House. Early-mid C16 origins, with rebuilding, refacing and additions in C17, C18 and C19. Original house built for Sir John Gostwick, at one time Master of the Horse to Cardinal Wolsey and later in service of Henry VIII as Treasurer and Receiver-General of the First Fruits and Tenths at the Dissolution. Originally timber framed and brick building (some timbering visible to interior), with later work in red brick. Old clay tile roof. 2- storeyed L-plan, with C19 additions, of 2 storeys within angle, one storey and attics to NE and one storey to NW. SW (front) elevation : first floor has 4 sash windows with glazing bars and gauged red brick heads. Ground floor has 2 similar windows to LH, and to RH 2 tall sash windows (also with glazing bars and gauged brick heads) flanking doorway. Door surround has pilasters with sunken panels, entablature, frieze and cornice. Door of 4 fielded panels, surmounted by semi-circular fanlight with radiating glazing bars. Moulded brick eaves cornice. RH corner retains earlier brickwork. the substantial external chimney stack to NE gable and the gable itself are also of earlier, possibly C16, brickwork, except the top of the stack, rebuilt C20. Red brick ridge stack to L. Red brick ridge stack to R at intersection with rear block, originally serving back-to-back hearth. SE elevation also retains some earlier brickwork with diaper patterning, but probably C17. (H.P.R. Finberg, "The Gostwicks of Willington", Bedfordshire Historical Record Society, vol 36, 1956, pp46-137).

Listing NGR: TL1053349766