Great Hyde Hall

Great Hyde Hall

A substantial country house dating from circa 1572 with significant later phases of development. The estate has been owned by the Jocelyn family since at least the 13th century. The building underwent extensive remodelling by Sir Jeffry Wyatville between 1806 and 1807 for the 2nd Earl of Roden. The east range was constructed around 1770, containing the Dining Room. A refaced 16th and 17th century 2-storey range extends northward from this. A late 18th century service range occupies the north side of the courtyard. The building is arranged around a courtyard plan with the south range at an obtuse angle to the west range. An asymmetrical 17th century 2-storey 6-window rusticated brick house facing south is recorded in Drapentier's engraving of 1700, and was presumably extended westward and refaced to create a symmetrical composition with pilasters and corner towers as shown on Oldfield's drawing.

The exterior east range is faced in red brick with a parapet and central 3-window projection, with one window on each side. The brickwork includes rubbed brick arches and sash windows with ground floor cills at floor level. Wyatville's west façade is stuccoed with large square corner pavilions taller than the centre, featuring a 2-storey central projection. A low plinth and crowning moulded cornice with blocking course runs across the composition with suppressed roofs. Giant order pilasters with sunk panels to shaft, palm capitals and sunk panel corner blocks class each external corner of the pavilions. The west elevation displays five windows with recessed sashes of 6/6 panes, shallow segmental arched heads and projecting surrounds to the first floor. The pavilions feature wider segmental openings on the ground floor: a triple sash window to the north with 2/3:6/9:2/3 panes and a later French window to the south. A segmental arched doorway is framed by stuccoed panelled pilasters, entablature and shallow triangular pediment. A slender projecting wooden porch, probably dating to 1869, adjoins the door. Narrow 2/4 paned 19th century sash windows have been inserted next to ground floor 6/6 paned sash windows symmetrically.

The south front follows the same massing as the west front, except the broader central feature projects further and has shorter pilasters supporting the entablature directly. The central first floor features a 6/6 paned sash window flanked by narrower 6/6 sashes without surrounds, whilst each side bay between the pilasters contains two 6/6 paned windows with surrounds on each floor. Depressed 6/6 sashes occupy the second floor at the corners. A larger central door opening with shallow segmental arched frame and French doors opens onto the garden.

The interior contains significant features. From the west door, the Vestibule rises three steps in its middle and is appointed with a Greek Doric screen in the east apse, comparable to Soane's Pitzhanger of 1805. The impressive Saloon rises through two storeys and is lit by a central circular skylight over a shallow dome supported on flat arches and pilasters with excellent scroll ornament. Various openings and balconies appear to have been altered over time. The staircase was rebuilt in 1920 by H S East, according to Pevsner.

The Dining Room in the east range retains delicate doorcases dating to around 1700 and a frieze with acanthus and sphinxes in panels. Of the Wyatville suite in the south range, the Drawing Room to the southwest remains unaltered and combines an oval and rectangular plan with deep corner niches. It features a marble fireplace surround carved with vine ornament and rams' heads. The central Ante Room opens onto the garden with semi-circular niches flanking the door to the Saloon. The Library to the southeast is lower and has been altered.

The interior was renovated in 1869 and further alterations were made between 1897 and 1904 for the 6th Earl of Roden. A northwest wing was added circa 1940–1960 for a school. The building was divided into flats in 1978.

In the grounds lie moulded stonework and a capital said to derive from Sir John Smirke's General Post Office (1824–1829), which was demolished in 1912. As a result of its comprehensive remodelling under Wyatville, the building holds significance in the development of architectural taste.