Warden Abbey

TL 1243 OLD WARDEN

12/113 Warden Abbey 16.1.52 GV I

Small fragment of a house, built c,1560 for Robert Gostwick. Erected on site of the Cistercian abbey founded 1135 by Walter Espec, with church rebuilding completed later C14. Abbey dissolved 1537. C16 house includes a buttress from the Abbey church. Red brick with some ashlar dressings. Most window surrounds and mullions are in brick, but some have been rendered to imitate ashlar at a later stage. 2 bays, 2 storeys and attics. S elevation: projecting LH block has 2 ground floor windows, each of 3 3-centred arched lights under square heads, within 3-centred arched recesses of different sizes. First floor has canted bay window with 7 3-centred arched lights and moulded cornice. To R of this is integral chimney stack with crow-steps, twisted shaft and spurred cap, all in moulded brick. Recessed RH bay has 4- centred arched door within crocketed ogee-headed stone surround with finial. To first floor is square headed window containing 2 3-centred arched lights, with moulded label. 2-stage buttress to RH. First floor brick string course. Embattled parapet with stone coping. N elevation: first floor has 2-light window similar to S elevation. Semi-octagonal stair-turret (top stage rebuilt C20) has pairs of 3-centred arched lights. 2-stage buttress to LH. W elevation: projecting chimney breast with substantial ashlar lower stage. Interior: ground and first floor rooms retain finely moulded beams and original fireplaces. First floor room has Tudor arched doorway with carved foliate spandrels. 3-bay clasped purlin roof with curved wind braces. On site of Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Listing NGR: TL1206343851