Flitwick Manor

FLITWICK

TL 0234 CHURCH ROAD

16/26 Flitwick Manor 22.10.52 (formerly listed as Manor House)

GV II*

House. Original structure built earlier C17, probably for Edward Blofield. Reworked c.1736, extended late C18 and at various dates in C19. Some reworking 1936 by Sir Albert Richardson. E block is c.1736 of red brick with some vitrified headers, encasing the C17 structure. Later additions also in variety of red brick. 1872 addition of colourwashed concrete blocks. Clay tile roofs. Complex plan, original 2-storeyed block running N-S, with later additions of varying heights to NW, SW and SE angles. E elevation, RH part: 6-bay facade in slightly irregular arrangements. Tall panelled parapet in front of steep-pitched hipped roof. 5 flush sashes per floor, all with glazing bars, under gauged brick flat arches. First floor 2nd bay has blind window. Parapet panels continue the window arrangement. Doorway to ground floor 2nd bay. 6-moulded-panel door in moulded surround with open pediment on cut brackets. Brick bands at first floor and eaves level. Substantial C17 red brick ridge stack of 4 linked square-section shafts. E elevation LH part: reworked and extended late C18 and C19, to form pair of projecting gables. RH gable retains C18 work at junction with main elevation, the front part of the gable being of later C19 chequered brick. Flush sashes to earlier part, sash in reveals to later part, all with glazing bars. LH gable, apparently late C18, has blind window to each floor. Its S elevation has 2- storeyed canted bay, with sashes with glazing bars under gauged brick flat heads. N elevation: 2 storeys and attics. Mansard roof behind plain parapet. Centre of wall partly rebuilt 1936. Sash windows with glazing bars, 4 to ground floor, 5 to first floor. First floor ones are flush sashes under gauged brick flat heads. LH one narrower than others. Ground floor ones C19 under cambered heads. Attic has 3 box dormers with 3-light leaded casements. Integral brick stacks and brick coping to both gables. S elevation: 1872 qabled addition has canted bay to ground floor, tripartite sash with glazing bars to first floor, and pierced decorative bargeboards. SW block: now dining room, retains original 2-light Gothick window to E gable attic. Others replaced with Venetian windows in 1936. Interior: main block entrance hall has inglenook fireplace served by the C17 stack, and C17 half-height panelling. Main block RH ground floor room has mid C18 panelling and moulded cornice. Plainer panelling to room above. Ground floor SE room (with canted bay) has late C18 Adam style decoration with pilasters and cornice. Fairly plain C18 and C19 staircases.

(Bedfordshire Record office: LL 17/284, "Flitwick House, its Gardens, Grounds etc", notebook with sketches, 1838 by J T Brooks; CRT 130 Fli 14, notes on Flitwick House, now called Flitwick Manor.)

Listing NGR: TL0291534173