Bovill'S Hall

Bovill's Hall is a house with origins dating back to the 15th century or earlier, featuring alterations and extensions from the 18th and 19th centuries. The original structure is timber framed and faced with painted brick, topped with hipped grey slate roofs. It has two rear chimney stacks on the front range and additional rear ranges made of similar materials. The building stands two storeys high with cellars and consists of three bays, accented by end and two central pilasters.

On the first floor, there are three round-headed double casement windows in square surrounds, complete with shutters, and similar windows on the returns. The ground floor features French windows on both the right and left sides, with gauged brick arches and shutters. There is an angled bay with glazed margins on the left return. A central moulded flat canopy is supported by circular columns with moulded capitals. The entrance includes a moulded surround, brackets, a moulded dentilled cornice, and a panelled door with round-headed double lights.

Inside, the left front room showcases exposed timber studs, a chamfered bridging joist, and flat section ceiling beams. The rear room, dating from the 19th century, is panelled and has a moulded cornice. There are six panelled doors with moulded surrounds throughout. The rear dairy features a flagstone floor, vertically boarded doors, and chamfered bridging joists, along with servants' stairs leading from this room. The house has large cellars supported by brick piers. Bovill's Hall is one of the four manors of Ardleigh, with Sandford Lambe recorded as the Lord of the Manor in 1796.