Docwras Manor

Manor house, showing three distinct periods of construction. The kitchen wing dates to the 16th century, with two parallel front ranges added in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The front facade was remodelled around 1743. The house is timber framed, rendered except for the front, which is of patterned red and burnt brickwork. It has a parapetted tiled roof with a wood modillion eaves cornice. A large red brick stack is situated between the front and rear ranges. Each of the two front ranges has an external red brick stack at the east end, featuring offsets and tumbled brickwork. The house now appears as an L-shaped plan.

The two storeys and attic contain a five-window range of original flush frame, twelve-pane hung sashes with ovolo moulded glazing bars within segmental arches. The central bay features a Palladian window at first floor, with an ornamental fret pattern to the semi-circular head, along with a modillion cornice. Below is a doorway with a rusticated surround and doorcase of Roman Doric half columns and entablature, also with an enriched modillion cornice.

Inside, the 16th-century kitchen range comprises three bays with partially exposed timber framing. This framing uses substantial timbers, including arch braced tie beams and unmoulded floor joists laid flat, with Queen struts to the roof trusses. A range to the road is also timber framed, but the framing is not exposed. One ground floor room has mid-18th century raised and fielded panelling in two heights. Elements of a late 17th-century flat section balustrade from the original staircase have been reused in the back staircase. The present, closed-string principal staircase, incorporating a baluster of column-on-vase type, dates from the c.1743 remodelling. A parallel range adjoining the front range is likely from the mid-18th century, with a first-floor window featuring arched top panes. The roofs of both ranges have purlins of slender scantling.

Docwra’s Manor was acquired in 1743 by Joseph Woodham. An estate map from 1764 shows the house’s plan largely as it stands today.