Hildersham Hall

TL 5448 HILDERSHAM HIGH STREET (North-West Side)

12/60 Hildersham Hall 17. 3.78 II*

Country house. c.1807 by E Lapidge (1793-1860) for T Fasset, including C17 and C18 ranges of a former farmhouse in the rear wing. Timber-framed, stuccoed brick and C19 red brick. Low pitched hipped slated roofs. Two storeys and attics, rectangular plan of five and three 'bays' with north-east rear wing. Main, west facing elevation, symmetrical, with five unequal 'bays', three central 'bays' slightly project with a portico and balcony above. Portico raised on limestone steps with panelled corner piers and unfluted Ionic columns. Three French casements with slender horizontal glazing bars, shaped to segmental heads of moulded architraves. Two recessed twelve-paned hung sash windows with flat arches in 'bays' on each side, five similar but smaller first floor windows. Moulded band between floors and below eaves cornice; boarded eaves. Two symmetrical stacks, and rear stacks. Main entrance in south elevation with a flat roofed porch, corner piers and pilasters on the inner face of the opening. Double doors similar in detail to west facade but glazed and panelled. Two storey C19 canted bay window to right hand. Interior: Original plan complete. Openings in staircase hall and vestibule reflected and balanced in segmental blind arches on opposing walls; fine canted, geometric staircase lit by an oval glass lantern, panelled dining room, moulded ceiling borders and friezes, pine chimney piece with laurel leaf swag. Thomas Fasset laid out the park with an ornamental lake c.1810. The house was possibly built on the site of Nether Hall manor house, one of two manors in Hildersham.

VCH Vol VI p 60, 63 Colvin English Architects p 356 Pevsner. Building of England p 407

Listing NGR: TL5427948339