Cockfield Hall

Cockfield Hall is a former manor house with a complex history, dating back to the mid-16th century. The north wing was initially built in the mid-16th century for Sir Arthur Hopton, while the main body of the house was rebuilt in the early 17th century, likely around 1613, for Sir Robert Brooke. The main range underwent alterations in the late 18th and early-mid 19th centuries, which included the addition of a third floor and an extra bay to the facade. The south side was significantly altered and rebuilt in the mid-20th century following bomb damage. The building is constructed of red brick with plaintiles.

The main range is three storeys high and presents a symmetrical facade with a seven-bay window range, arranged as 3:1:3. Giant brick pilasters, ornamented with moulded brick and stone pinnacles, define the quoins and the central bay. Brick bands run along the second floor and eaves, and the parapet is wavy with a prominent shaped gable centrally, bearing a coat of arms. Ground and first floor windows are inset 8-pane sashes, each with a segmental arch and a stuccoed hood mould above the ground floor windows. Second-floor windows are 2-light casements. A single-storey entrance porch features panelled pilasters with elaborate moulded brick and stucco pinnacles, surmounted by a segmental arch. The original doorway has been replaced by a sash window. The right-hand return front retains original mullion and transom windows.

The north wing remains largely as it was originally built, standing two storeys high with an attic. It has three bays with pilasters between them, along with moulded brick bands at the first and second floor levels, and another band above the attic windows. It incorporates 18th-century casement windows with square leaded panes. A central doorway features a 6-panel fielded door in its original frame, accompanied by a rectangular fanlight. All openings are set within raised rusticated surrounds. The gable end to the north mirrors this detailing and has original windows with diamond leaded glass. The west front showcases two overhanging attic gables and an external stack featuring three detached octagonal flues topped with moulded bases and linked star caps.

Inside the north wing, notable features include a good early 17th-century oak staircase with turned balusters, half-balusters against the wall, and square newel posts with pierced finials. There are also two carved stone fireplaces. One first-floor room is distinguished by its four ovolo-moulded ceiling beams that create a square central panel. The drawing room on the first floor has painted panelling, while the main range's east drawing room boasts a very fine early 17th-century ornamental plaster ceiling. One first-floor bedroom retains fragments of a 16th-century plasterwork frieze. The great hall was rebuilt in 1896 by E.F. Bishopp in a Jacobean style, featuring extensive carved woodwork. The house has a connection to Lady Catherine Grey, sister of Lady Jane Grey, who died there in 1568 after being brought to the property in 1567.