Great Bardfield Hall

TL 6730 GREAT BARDFIELD BRAINTREE ROAD (west side)

8/116 Great Bardfield Hall 2.5.53 GV II

House. C16, altered in C18/C19. Timber framed, plastered, roofed with handmade red clay tiles. Approximate H-plan facing S, comprising (1) at left end, a 3- bay crosswing extending to the rear only (2) a 2-bay main range, this and the crosswing jettied to the front (3) an unjettied 2-bay extension to the main range (4) a 4-bay crosswing extending to front and rear, C18 external stack at left end, C16 internal stack at junction of main range and right crosswing, C18 stack at rear end of right crosswing, with C18 single-storey extension beyond. C17/C18 lean-to extension behind main range, enclosing stair. 2 storeys and attics. Below jetty at left, one plain bracket and 2 late C19 splayed bays of sashes of 2-4-2 lights. One early C19 sash of 20 lights, one C20 casement. First floor, 4 early C19 sashes of 20 lights and one early C20 oriel. 3 C19 casements in gabled dormers. Roof of right crosswing hipped at front. The interior has jowled posts, some exposed close studding, chamfered axial and transverse beams with lamb's tongue stops, exposed plain joists of horizontal section in rear bay of right crosswing. Mortises for removed diamond mullions in left side of right crosswing. Crosswing has clasped purlin roof with arched wind bracing. Right section of main range has clasped purlin roof without wind bracing. The owner reports high ground-floor windows with ovolo mullions on each side of the splayed bays, now covered by lath and plaster externally and internally. This manor house, situated near the church, exhibits an unusual and complicated development, all apparently within the C16. It was replaced as the seat of the manor by Great Lodge from 1621, but may have become the manor again when Great Lodge was demolished c.1729. RCHM 2.

Listing NGR: TL6779330269