Westfield

HERTFORD

TL3212SW WEST STREET 817-1/19/260 (North side) 12/04/73 No.50 Westfield

GV II

House, empty at time of inspection but last used as school. C17, altered and extended C18 and C19. Timber-framed, stuccoed and masonry-lined front, red brick rear range, yellow gault brick east range (all Flemish bond), weatherboarded left (west flank; hipped Welsh slated roofs, double-hipped at rear. Red and yellow brick chimneys. C17 two cell lobby entry plan, with rear early C18 3-bay range creating double-depth plan, and early C19 extensions. EXTERIOR: 3 storeys and basement. First-floor front has 3 widely spaced slightly recessed 9-pane sashes with Gothick lancet-arched tracery; second floor 3 similar 6-pane windows. Ground floor with 1 taller 12-pane window at left; centre right recessed C19 leaded light 1/2 glazed door with sidelights. To right small 6-pane sash window. All major windows in side extensions and on flank elevations have Gothick lancet traceried top sashes. Flat-roofed narrow single storey 1 bay extensions at left and right, and set back 2-storey wing of slightly greater width at left (east). Rear elevation 3 narrow bays at left (east) and a wide single bay at right (west) indicating significant phases of construction, red brick at left, with straight joint to yellow brick extension, now uniformly colourwashed. 2-storey, 1 bay extension at left (east). First floor has 3 flush set 12-pane sash windows beneath rubbed brick flat arches, similar later windows to left and right, plat band at first-floor level. Second floor has three 6-pane sash windows, with 1, later, at right. Ground floor has 2 taller 12-pane sashes at left, rear doorway at centre, with 1/2 glazed early C19 door with margin glazing, and plain glazed fanlight in architrave frame, with rubbed arch in line with those above windows. To right early C19 French windows, with traceried heads, beneath flat rubbed brick arch. Basement door beneath 1/4 landing to rear garden door, with 2 basement windows below those on ground floor. At right (west) is large mid C19 timber-framed glazed conservatory with ornamental fretted ridge and iron finials. Twin-leaf margin glazed doors to garden, moulded colonnettes and cornice to glazed sidelights. INTERIOR: C17 front range much altered, has chamfered beam with tongue stop, C18 elliptical-arched opening to rear

staircase hall; rear kitchen has C19 fitted dresser; stair early C19 open well open string with stick balusters, and later newel post; rear sash windows with quadrant bars and fitted seats. Basement has leaded-light window at rear, lattice doors, and an infilled well. First floor and attic rooms largely refitted C19, but 4-panel doors with HL-hinges, either side of stack in west room survive; good early C19 cupboard in attic bedroom. (Hertford Civic Society Newsletter: Gibson A and Greening A: Westfield House, Hertford: Hertford: 1994-: 2-3).

Listing NGR: TL3223412254