Shelley Hall

Shelley Hall

A fragment of a house believed to have been rebuilt in the early 16th century by Sir Philip Tylney, who died circa 1533, situated near the moated site of a former hall. The building has undergone later alterations and additions.

The house is constructed of red brick with some original black header diapering, with red plain tiled roofs. It is of two storeys and attics. The main range is tall and narrow, running from north to south, with a gabled crosswing to the south. A range to the north-west, gabled north to south, contains fragments of the former gatehouse. A later polygonal stair turret with hipped roof and gablet occupies the angle between the main range and this wing. East of the gatehouse range lies another double roof range, with the southern half original and the northern part 18th century, extending to cover part of the southern buttress of the gatehouse doorway. This range has south and north external chimney stacks; the southern is 16th century with three octagonal shafts, moulded bases and star capping, while the northern is 18th century. Between the gables is a single octagonal shaft with moulded base and star capping. An original 16th century polygonal buttress stands adjacent to the 18th century build, with 16th century brick work that is diapered, and a simple buttress to the southern angle. The gatehouse range has an original external chimney stack on its west face with a rectangular shaft. Offset to the rear (east) of the main range is a 16th century external stack commencing at first floor level with an octagonal shaft, moulded base and star capping, with an original polygonal buttress to its north.

The southern range has two stacks: that to the ridge is a 16th century octagonal shaft with moulded base and star capping; breaking through the roof above eaves is a square stack with moulded capping.

Main range, west (front) face: Three gabled dormers to the left (north) and two wide polygonal buttresses. The first floor northern bays have diapered brick work. On the first floor to the left (north) are two original chamfered brick two-light windows with square heads and moulded labels, one light of the northern window hidden by the stair turret, with a similar blocked window below. These windows remain intact internally. First floor to the right (southern bays) has two windows below eaves and two lower small paned two-light casements with segmental heads. Between these windows is a moulded brick panel bearing a Coat of Arms. The ground floor has two 20th century windows with segmental heads and a 20th century restored four-centred arch doorway with a plank and muntin door.

Rear (east) face: Much repaired brick work. First floor has three casement windows, that to the north set into an original blocked window with a brick chamfered square head and label. Ground floor features a blocked round headed arch to the south, with a 20th century two-light window set in, and one other similar window with a segmental head to the north. A 20th century lean-to covers the wall to the north. A brick courtyard lies in front of this face.

Southern crosswing: Three single storey extensions to the west. A two-light window to the gable attic. To the south is a small gabled dormer, with three first floor and two ground floor vari-light windows and an attic window to the east. Later buttresses flank the ground floor.

North-western gatehouse range: First floor band to the north and east faces. North face has single windows to attic and first floor, and ground floor with three windows of various casements and sashes. Centrally, below the band, is a large square stone panel with finely carved Tylney Arms. Eastern face has a doorway flanked by full height polygonal buttresses with trefoiled panels to three stages, the southern buttress partly obscured by later building. The doorway has a chamfered four-centre arch with a fragment of a square label above; above this doorway a 20th century window is set into a brick label. The west face has similar buttresses but the doorway is blocked with a 20th century window over in a chamfered opening. The western stair turret has three angles, each with a leaded two-light window at graduated levels; brick surrounds with square labels and raised heads.

North-eastern range, west face: Two first floor small paned vertically sliding sashes. A similar window to the ground floor north and two three-light leaded casements with transoms. Above these windows the brick work is diapered.

Interior

Gatehouse range: Two plastered stop chamfered arches to the ground floor. An 18th century plastered ceiling to the ground floor room with a fire surround featuring a moulded frieze. An early 19th century fire surround in the eastern room. A moulded and nailed vertically boarded door. A circa 1600 dog gate to stairs with original hinge and catch, trellised base, turned balusters, carved top rail and moulded frame. A carved lintel to the stairface on a moulded bracket. A spiral staircase to the stair turret.

North-eastern range, dining room: Chamfered bridging and ceiling joists. A large inglenook fireplace with moulded pilasters, capitals and bases, and a chamfered mantel beam. A linenfold cupboard door by the fireplace. A plank and muntin door.

Main range: A hall door with a moulded four-centred arch and carved shields of arms to the spandrels. Brick pammets to the floor. A kitchen of three bays with heavy stop chamfered bridging joists.

Southern range: Heavy stop chamfered bridging joists with a later support storey post with bolted brace. A blocked fireplace with exposed mantel beam. A blocked plastered arch to the outer wall, possibly a bake oven. The eastern room, used as a wash house, has stop chamfered bridging joists.

First floor: A nailed boarded door at the top of stairs. Some window splays and original windows are visible. A small spiral staircase leads to the attic. The roof is mainly covered, appearing to be of side purlin construction with collars to principal rafters. Vertically boarded doors lead to the attics.

A panelled bedroom features a moulded cornice and bolection moulding to the fireplace, with moulded panelled doors retaining original hinges and chamfered bridging joists throughout.

The southern bedroom contains some reset linenfold panelling around a 20th century fireplace.

Historical context

Sir Philip Tylney's great grandson, related to Queen Elizabeth I, entertained her here in 1561. The Kerridges inhabited the house from the time of Charles I until 1747. From 1758 to 1875 it was occupied by the Partridge family.