The Grove The Grove Including Retaining Wall, Piers And Steps

HERTFORD

TL3213SW PORT VALE, Bengeo 817-1/15/281 (West side) 12/04/73 The Grove including retaining wall, piers and steps (Formerly Listed as: PORT VALE The Grove)

GV II

Includes: The Grove PORT HILL Bengeo. House. c1833. Yellow stock brick, Flemish bond, with yellow-grey pilaster strips. Welsh slated hipped double roof with broad panelled eaves with flat brackets, grey brick chimneystack with oversailing bands. Square central entry double-depth plan. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys and attics. First floor has 3 slightly recessed 12-pane sash windows beneath rubbed brick flat arches. Plat band at first-floor level. Ground floor has 2 full-length sashes with 6 large panes, with rubbed brick flat arches. Pilaster strips at ends and framing centre bay with twin leaf 2-panel doors with raised surrounds, in moulded frame with semicircular traceried fanlight above. Portico doorcase with Tuscan Doric columns and responds, entablature with plain fascia and frieze, moulded cornice and blocking course, raised above 3 windows on first floor. Large C20 timber conservatory covers 2 left-hand bays. French windows with sidelights at right. West elevation has canted oriel bay with triple 4:12:4-pane sashes, brick spandrel raised on corbelled brick; arched doorway left of centre, with half-glazed margin glazed door. 6-light French windows under painted metal concave canopy roof with fretted valance. INTERIOR: plain details characteristic of early C19, central hall with open string stair with cut bracketed treads, stick balusters and moulded hardwood rail. Morning room to right has egg-and-dart plaster cornice with acanthus border to ceiling; dining room to left has scotia moulded plaster cornice and reeded band; kitchen at rear has flagged stone floor and fitted dresser. First floor has glazed lantern light above landing; large rear room has interpolated reset C18 style fire surround with eared architrave and moulded shelf, and plaster wall panelling. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: gateway to main garden at south-west corner of house, with brick piers with stone pineapples, and wrought-iron gate with segmental rails and scrolled Gothick

ogee top. House backs on to a tall buttressed brown brick retaining wall with flights of steps, piers, urns, and fitted slate seat, to east of house.

Listing NGR: TL3224113065