The Old Rectory

TQ 59 NW STAPLEFORD TAWNEY CHURCH ROAD 7/283 The Old Rectory 27/8/52 GV II*

A very fine house incorporating C13 core to left. Circa C1700. Red brick facing and C18/19 extensions and renovations. Now half H plan. Left return C18 beaded weatherboard clad. Hipped red tiled roof with two pedimented dormers. 2 storeys, attics and large brick cellar. Parapet with band and coping. 7 window range of circa 1700 small paned vertical sliding sashes with moulded glazing bars and gauged brick arches. Central Doric Porch with flat canopy and frieze with triglyphs and metopes. Door with small paned glazing and frieze over. To the right is a good early conservatory with moulded timber frame, cast iron internal brackets and original winding window opening mechanism. Iron finials to ridge. Brick base. Central red brick attached diagonal shaft chimney and red brick chimney to right. 5 circular iron tie plates. Timber and leaded bell cote at rear. The right return has an early C19 2 storey bay with contemporary small paned sliding sash windows and door with glazed margins. Internally pilasters with moulded capitals and bases in the panelled hall lead to c1820 dog leg staircase. Panelled gun cupboards either side of door. Round head window to pilaster screen wall. Circa 1700 or earlier moulded stone firesurround. Detailing throughout relates to circa 1680-1700 or to the circa 1800-1820 renovations and include 3 Adam firesurrounds, panelled walls, dado's, wainscots and ceiling coving. Panelled shutters to all windows. Many C17 doors with hand wrought hinges and catches. Many C18/19 panelled doors with brass handles and locks, one of which has a drop bolt. In an attic is a C16 or earlier, nailed, 3 board door. There is a working pump and a well in the large brick partitioned cellar. A section of C13 scroll moulding dates the 2 bay fragment of former crosswing. (To the left of the House). The original roof was replaced C17 with a good quality framed side purlin construction, using some heavily sooted timbers from the medieval hall. There are jowled storey posts. Lead from roof is inscribed "Mark Webster 1861, 1872" with various other graffiti. The chimney stack is of Mid-C16 with C17 concertina shaft added. The House is set in a very pleasant moated garden with the following 4 listed buildings. C18/19 walled garden to the rear has been restored. RCHM 4.

Listing NGR: TQ5038099472