Shell House

TL 51 NW HATFIELD BROAD OAK HATFIELD FOREST

3/88 Shell House

• II*

Garden house/folly. c.1757 and built by the Houblon family. Constructed of knapped and boulder flints, shells, glass fragments and brickwork with a low pitched pantile pediment gabled roof. The original block formed a small rectangular pavilion with pedimented gables at front and rear. The latter was extended to the west in red brick in the C19. The west front has a central semi-circular arched entrance and 2 small flat headed windows, with rustication and keystones forming a Serliana motif. The windows have small panes as has the original door which also has fan pattern glazing in its head and 2 semi-circular stone steps. The keystone over this door has an eagle-like bird with out- stretched wings in white shells. The pediment has a semi-circular dummy window with radiating glazing bars in contrasting material. The corners have rusticated quoins of flint boulders. Each flank has a star pattern of shells, radiating from a central blue glass sphere. Internally, there is mid C18 wall panelling and a coved plaster ceiling. This has a border and other motifs of shells and glass fragments, forming a star and corner quadrants with central rosettes. Either side are later single storey blocks of red bricks with pantile roofs, each having 3 tall chimney stacks on the rear and of only limited interest. Grade II* for rarity.

Listing NGR: TL5402519810