Brook House

TL 4322 LITTLE HADHAM ALBURY ROAD (west side) Little Hadham-on-Ash

7/5 Brook House

22.2.67

GV II

House. Late C16, C17 and former malting on N converted and extended in 1950s. Elongated L-plan, central chimney, timberframed and plastered house facing E. Modern pargetting and some fake timbering. Gabled old red tile roofs. Former lobby entrance plan with C16, 2 storeys, hall range at lower level on N and unusually large C17, 3 bay, cross wing of 2 storeys and attic on S. Stair in angle of wings has its own gabled roof. Large central chimnney with back-to-back fireplaces at junction of wings with stepped square shafts above roof. Hall fireplace destroyed in making arch vaulted tunnel through stack from door to stair. A 2 bay, timberframed 2 storeys, plastered, kitchen wing with old red tile gabled roof extends to rear (W) of cross wing and a clasped purlin roof and a large chimney and oven projection on its S side (chimney capped off). The kitchen wing is linked to a 3 bay, timberframed weatherboarded outhouse with a slate roof on W. 2 storeys plastered and tiled lower ranges extend to N, converted from former malting and extended for domestic accommodation in 1950s. E front has 3-light and 4-light wooden casement windows with leaded glazing in panelled pargetting. Central door with heavy moulded doorframe and bracketed flat hood. Small 2-light early C17 ovolo-mullioned window to closet over door. 2 oval plaster panels on cross wing have 'TST' '1672', possibly the date when the cross wing was remodelled internally and a small panelled room with SW corner fireplace was created on the Ground floor. The W wall and NW corner of the cross wing have been rebuilt in brick subsequently. On the 1st floor, the cross wing has a wide 4-centred arched brick fireplace, with canted rear corners and recessed back wall, 2 chamfered cross beams and an early C18 corner cupboard with 2 panelled door and decorative H-hinges. Attic over has a 4-bay, side purlin roof, large S gable, and an ovolo moulded mullioned 3-light front casement window with iron opening light. The hall has a heavy axial beam with double cyma mouldings and bulbous faceted stops. This bears on an ovolo moulded beam across the chimney carried on a flared corbel worked on the SE corner post. This wing has a clasped purlin roof with wind braces and both floors are lower than those in the cross wing. The 1st floor is now reached by a modern stair in the former kitchen wing. Historic timber-framed central chimney house.

Listing NGR: TL4399022738