Shadwell Court

BRETTENHAM TL 98 SW 8/11 Shadwell Court I

Country House of complex plan. c.1720, rebuilt 1840-42 by Edward Blore and 1856-60 by S.S. Teulon. Caen stone, ashlar, brick and flint with slate roofs. 3-4 storeys. Jacobean and Gothic east facade. Central tower over entrance with elaborately cusped ogee arch above two orders of irontwist shafts with naturalistic foliage capitals and other carving. Oriel windows through 2 storeys with flushwork above. Stair turret begins at roof line. Flanking wings with shaped gables, varied fenestration, pinnacles and chimney stacks are linked to tower by stepped ranges. Overall balanced asymmetry and strikingly punctuated skyline. South and west facades largely by Blore. Shaped gables, octagonal corner pinnacles, first floor sting course riding over 2 storey bay windows and canted oriels on moulded aprons. Straight headed mullion and transom windows. Punched and balustraded parapets. interior of house dominated by cruciform music hall spanning width of building and terminating in 4-light Perpendicular window, originally with stained glass. Each arm of varying size with good timber roofs, all different. Crossing piers articulated by engaged marble shafts with foliage capitals and some figures. Some panelling. Central crossing roof of cusped and notched quadripartite braces on carved corbels supporting timber drop pendant for chandelier. All timber work of highest quality but carpenter unknown. Great dining room of 1856-60 has tall mullioned windows, 4 centred wall arches with profuse carving and large bay window entered through similar stone archway. Heavy moulded corbels support flat panelled timber ceiling. Library, originally drawing room of 1720's remodelled by Blore with fine Victorian plaster ceiling. New drawing room by Blore with similar ceiling, slightly coved, and late C18 chimney piece.

mark Girouard, Country Life 136i, 1964, pp. 18-21, 98-102.

Listing NGR: TL9286883087