Alresford Hall

Alresford Hall is a house dating from the early 18th century, though it has origins that predate this period. It is constructed of red brick with black headers and features red plain tiled roofs that are hipped on the central range. The building has gabled wings at the front left and right, with red brick chimney stacks located on the left and right of these wings and at the rear right of the main range. An earlier red brick chimney stack, built in English bond, is incorporated into the rear left wall. The house has various rear ranges and stands two storeys tall with attics.

The central range includes four square-headed dormers and a raised centre with a parapet, moulded stone coping, and cornice. The wings feature moulded stone pediments and cornices. The windows are arranged in a 1:7:1 pattern, consisting of small paned vertically sliding sashes with brick segmental heads on the first floor. The ground floor wings each have tall four-light windows with glazing bars, while the central range has three tall windows with glazing bars and brick segmental heads. A later addition is a central red brick flat-headed porch with a moulded timber doorway, a glazed door, and a round-headed fanlight above.

Inside, the hall contains many panelled doors with moulded architraves and moulded wainscots. The main front room features simple panel plastering and fluted pilasters, along with moulded ceiling cornices. Panelled shutters adorn the windows, and the front room has an inlaid parquet floor. Several marble and coloured stone fireplaces are present, one of which features urns and fluting, while another fireplace from elsewhere is decorated with carved wood birds, lions, and fruit. There are also good cast iron grates, arches leading to the hall and landing, and a staircase with moulded string and turned balusters.

Historically, the Alresford Estate was purchased in 1720 by Captain Matthew Martin, a director of the East India Company who famously transported a £200,000 cargo through a French squadron in the Indiaman "Marlborough." He was awarded £1,000 by the East India Company for this achievement and had property in Wivenhoe, serving twice as MP for Colchester.