Thorney Abbey And Abbey House

Thorney Abbey and Abbey House is a Grade I listed building located on the west side of Thorney Abbey Place. The structure consists of a late 16th century house, known as Abbey House, to the east, and a west wing built in 1660, designed by Peter Mills, who was also the architect of Thorpe Hall, with John Lovin as the builder, or possibly designed by Lovin himself. The building is a fine example of its period, square in plan, constructed of stone rendered with masonry joint lining, featuring stone quoins, a string course, and a plinth. It has a coved eaves cornice and a steeply pitched hipped roof made of Collyweston stones.

The south side of the building has five bays, with ovolo moulded stone mullion and transom two-light windows that have moulded architraves, some of which contain leaded panes. The central doorway is adorned with stone panelled pilasters and a pediment supported by corbels, featuring a glazed door and a rectangular fanlight. There are hipped dormers present as well. The north and west elevations are similar but consist of three bays. A large central rusticated chimney stack with panelled sides and a cornice is also a prominent feature. The west front has terrace balustrading with panelled piers and a wide flight of steps at the center.

Inside the west wing, there is a panelled dining room that includes a pilastered chimney piece with an eared panel and volutes, along with doorcases styled similarly. Other rooms also feature comparable chimney pieces and doorcases. The staircase is notable for its ornamented balusters and square newels with panelled sides that contain garlands, as well as a moulded string with a Victorian scroll frieze.

The two-storey late 16th century east wing is the original house, featuring two gables on the south side, one of which has a two-storeyed splayed bay. This section includes stone mullion windows with cornices and is constructed of stone rubble topped with a Collyweston stone roof and coped gables. The east side facing the road has five bays with sash windows that have glazing bars, and the right-hand side features a moulded stone doorcase with a dentilled flat hood supported by shaped brackets. The link range may incorporate re-used Norman arches and round piers from the monastery.