The Brick House

TL 43 SW HORMEAD BRICK HOUSE LANE (North side) Great Hormead

2/57 The Brick House 19.10.51

• II*

House. Circa 1570 for Thomas Brand of Lambeth, Yeoman (RCHM Typescript) restoration 1954-8, small extensions to N and E in 1980's. Small red brick in English bond with old red tile roofs. A tall 2 storeys and attics brick tower-house unique in Hertfordshire. Rectangular main block has 2 small square towers attached at opposite corners, 2 massive chimneys projecting from the W wall, and a tall stair tower projecting further between them. The plan has the square hall occupying 2/3 of the Ground Floor entered from the E, separated by a timber framed wall from the kitchen and a cross passage at the N end. A larder or store occupies the NE tower off the former cross passage to an outside door on N wall, there is a large oven projecting from the kitchen fireplace, and the stair is entered from the NW corner of the hall beside its wide fireplace. A small parlour with wall recesses occupies the SW tower off the hall. The main entrance was moved to the S face of the NE tower in 1950's. The main chambers on 1st floor have small rooms off in the towers and there were 4 attic rooms. The projecting gables have crowstepped parapets and 3 casement windows one to each floor. Windows have square heads, chamfered surrounds with labels over and heavy 2-light mullioned timber frames. Small chamfered openings about 8 x 3 inches with labels light upper floors and staircase tower. Tumbled brickwork offsets to chimney on W. Exposed timbers in house, and clasped purlin roofs with windbraces. House unique in county in combining rooms appropriate to a prosperous yeoman with brick walling unknown at vernacular level and tower house plan. (RCHM (1911)103 no.4: VCH(1914)69-70: Pevsner (1977)152-3: RCHM Typescript).

Listing NGR: TL4125831050