Place House

TL 1264-1364 GREAT STAUGHTON THE TOWN

10/19 PLACE HOUSE 24.10.51

GV II*

Probably built for Sir Oliver Leader between 1539 and 1557 within the moated site of the manor held by the Carthusians until 1537. Originally an irregular H-plan mansion of which only the south wing and cross-wing to the west survive. A single storey gabled wing to the south has been raised to 2-storey height recently when a kitchen wing to the north was also built. Alterations have been made in the early C18 and C19, the fenestration is restored or modern.

Red brick coursed in English bond with plain tile roofs. Parapet gables with triangular sectioned limestone copings.

South facade of main wing and cross-wing to west, 2 storeys. Three ridge stacks, one end stack to cross-wing and one side stack with crow-stepped off sets to east. Five first floor, 2 and 3-light splay-mullioned windows with moulded labels and leaded lights, 2 to east may be original. Four similar windows, 3 with transomes, at ground floor.- Straight joints from earlier sash window insertions visible. Limestone moulded doorway has a 4-centred arch.

West facade of cross-wing has a loggia of 3 bays with 4-centred arches of 2 chamfered orders with chamfered piers and chamfered plinth. An original 4-light splay- mullioned and transomed window at first floor with moulded label.

The original internal arrangement of rooms was altered in the early C18 and C19 with the exception of the plain newel staircase and the framed partition walls. The open hearths are sealed in the ground floor rooms. There is one complete room of bolection moulded panelling with a corner fireplace, and some panelling in other rooms. One early plank door, and panelled Cl7 door, and C18 raised and fielded panelled doors. The exposed floor frame has chamfered cross-beams with narrow, deep sectioned joists. The side purlin roof of the main wing has curved wind braces in each of the 9 bays. VCH (Hunts) p 354. RCHM (Hunts) p 252. Pevsner, Buildings of England, p 256. Watson, 'History of Great Staughton' 1916, pp 11-17. Huntingdon Record Office, collection of photographs.

Listing NGR: TL1231764680