Aspley House

SP9436-9536 ASPLEY GUISE BEDFORD ROAD 5/3 Aspley House 22.10.52 GV II* Small country house. Circa 1690 for William Norcliffe, on site of earlier structure, reworked before 1749 for alter Scott. 1902 additions by R Blomfield replaced by smaller later C20 ones. Red brick, with chequered patterning in flared headers. Hipped clay tile roof. Double-pile plan of 2 storeys and attics, with 2 storeys and attics coach house block adjoining to S, set on lower level. Main block E elevation: 2:3:2 sash windows, flush to wall, with heavy glazing bars and under guaged brick flat arches. Central bay projects slightly and is pedimented, tympanum containing oculus with radiating glazing bars. Central doorway, brought forward late C19 to form fron of brick porch. Ornate consoles with carved heads support modillion cornice and open pediment. Part-glazed double doors. Attic has 2 segmental-headed dormers containing sashes. Brick band at first floor level. Deep modillion cornice to eaves and pediment. Red brick chimney stacks to side ridges. Main block W elevation refronted pre 1749. 3 bays, central one projecting-slightly. Outer bays each have 3 flush sashes with glazing bars under gauged brick heads. Central bay contains staircase. Segmental-arched doorway with stone surround, partly set below ground level. Above this are 2 superimposed Venetian windows with wood keyblocks. Upper window rises into broken pediment at attic level. Pediment is open, with chimney stack rising through centre. Attic has 2 segmental-headed dormers containing sashes with glazing bars. Flanking central bay are 2 doorways with heavy Roman Doric pilastered surrounds and part-glazed doors. Deep modillion cornice to eaves and pediment. Coach house block E Elevation: probably mid to late C18. Vitrified brick in header bond, dressings in red brick. Hipped clay tile roof. Symmetrical facade. First floor has 5 sashes with glazing bars. Attic has 5 hipped dormers containing sashes. Ground floor has C20 central part-glazed door in pilastered surround. This is flanked by C20 double-width carriage arches, their pilastered surrounds similar to doorway. Roof has small octagonal lantern to centre. House interior: dogleg staircase with paired twisted balusters. Panelling to some ground floor rooms, mostly C18 but also including reset Jacobean strapwork frieze to hall. C18 wood chimney piece. The Woburn Sands and District Society: The Story of Aspley Guise, 1980, pp.13-14; "Aspley House, Bedfordshire: A Lesser Country House of the XVIIIth century", Country Life, March 29th 1913, pp 7-11; Beds Record Office: CRT 130 Aspley 3, "Aspley House at Aspley Guise", notes compiled by C.J. Pickford 1985. (of Church Street, Aspley Guise, for garden wall and gateway belonging to Aspley House).

Listing NGR: SP9436836094