Stanstead Hall

Large house dating from the mid-16th century, with extensions added in the 20th century. The building is constructed of red brick in English bond, with clunch dressings and plaster imitating stone, and has a roof of handmade red plain tiles. It forms a substantial S range of a former courtyard plan, with a rear right extension from the early 20th century and a further extension of 1935 to the front of the right end, all built in a matching style. The two-storey N front has four groups of windows on each floor, consisting of three-light and two-light windows with pointed arched heads and leaded glazing, each group with a moulded label of plastered brick. There are also dormers with curvilinear gables, containing smaller two-light windows with similar labels. The off-centre entrance has moulded jambs and an arched head of clunch. Other features include a brick plinth, a moulded string course, a parapet between gables, and some diaper pattern using black brick. The left end features octagonal corner turrets with crocketed pyramidal roofs, enclosing a two-story oriel window dating from the 19th or early 20th century, and a three-light window within a curvilinear gable similar to those on the N front. The rear elevation has three external brick stacks, one with three octagonal shafts serving the former kitchen, and the others with two octagonal shafts each. A gabled brick stair-tower sits between the later two stacks, incorporating an original three-light window opening of chamfered brick with shallow arched heads.

Inside, there are partitions of mid-16th century timber framing, and two heavily moulded timber door surrounds with arched heads. Early examples of deep, narrow joists tenoned at both the top and soffit are also present. The southern extension includes one room with reused 17th-century panelling featuring a frieze and pilasters. An adjoining stair hall contains heavily moulded beams, some of which appear to be reused and incorporate cresting, crenellations, and a bead-and-reel strip amongst the Tudor chamfers. The roof has been much altered, but remnants of the original wind-braced side-purlin structure remain. A large, rectangular moat is present, with fragments of brick revetment and an enclosing wall. The house was formerly the home of Lord Butler of Saffron Walden.