Wenham Place

Wenham Place

House dating from the early 16th century with later additions and alterations. The building is constructed of 16th century red brick with some exposed timber framing and brick nogging infill to the north face first floor. The south face has some 19th century red brick. Red plain tiled roofs cover an L-shaped plan facing south, with original wings to the east and north and a taller range to the west. A 19th century brick facing to the south-east suggests the original configuration has been modified.

The front elevation features external chimney stacks. To the left of the front (south) range is an offset stack with two square attached shafts, moulded capping. A similar single-shafted stack stands forward to the right of this range. A large narrow rectangular shaft off centre right of the right range breaks through the ridge with base, band and moulded capping. The building is two storeys and attics. The left (west) return is of 19th century red brick and suggests the house extended further west at one time. The front brickwork is in English bond and is much repaired.

To the left on the first floor is a leaded cross transom casement; to the right a tripartite small paned vertically sliding sash window. The ground floor has a leaded four-light casement with centre transom and chamfered brick head. The doorway to the right of the chimney stack features a panelled stone and stucco surround with moulded flat canopy on scroll brackets and a four-panel two-light door. The rear (north) face of this range has a stepped band, two three-light leaded casements with transoms, and a smaller two-light central casement. The ground floor left has a six-panelled door with moulded surround and segmental head. To the right are two blocked segmental headed arches, that to the left with a 20th century three-light casement underneath.

The right (east) range has a 19th century red brick face and gabled return. Large gables appear to left, centre and right, all with moulded coping. Beneath each gable are tripartite small paned vertically sliding sash windows to first and ground floors with moulded brick surrounds and labels over. There are two later first floor windows to the left. A plank and muntin door with ornate hinges stands to the right of the left gable with brick surround and label. To the right is a stable-type door with segmental head over. The rear (north) face of this range to the west of the chimney stack has Flemish bond brickwork to the ground floor and a timber frame with brick nogging infill to the first floor east, featuring a three-light leaded mullion. Brickwork in English bond to the western bays has a central band, first floor leaded three-light casement and two 19th or 20th century ground floor casements.

The north-east gabled wing has an original north-facing gable of English bond red brick with black header diapering. Right and left polygonal buttresses have bases and finials with moulded bases and heads, moulded coping and finial to the gable. Windows of three and four sunk chamfered four-centre arched lights are set under square heads with moulded labels to the attic and first floor; similar surrounds and labels to the ground floor but with 19th century Gothic windows and door inset. The left and right returns have first floors timber-framed with brick nogging infill and brick ground floors. Two mullion windows appear to the first floor right return.

Interior features include four brick niches in the ground floor room of the original north-eastern gable and original mouldings to windows. A brick spiral staircase with timber treads stands to the rear of the eastern range. A very large inglenook mantel beam, approximately 3.7 metres, is present. An inserted ceiling with moulded joists and panel door with cocks head hinges is visible. A four-centre arched fireplace with moulded jambs appears in a bedroom. Shutters are fitted to later windows. A moulded panelled door and a door possibly made from a Jacobean overmantel with carved squares and roundels to the arch and capitals, roses and foliage to the spandrel, and moulded and carved jewel and crenellations to the lower panel are present. Old glass remains in some windows; some jowled storey posts are visible. Old floorboards survive in the bedrooms. A vertically boarded wall appears to the first floor of the east wing. The hall floor is paved with Pammet tiles.

The house was damaged by fire during the 19th century caused by the Agricultural Riots, affecting the roof. The house was owned by Willie Lot, whose cottage at Flatford features in a painting by John Constable.