Mockbeggars Hall

Mockbeggars Hall is a substantial house dating to 1621, situated on Claydon Paper Mill Lane. It comprises a central three-window range flanked by a pair of slightly projecting cross-wings. The building is two storeys high with attics. Constructed of red brick, it originally featured extensive plaster ornament intended to mimic limestone dressings, much of which has now decayed. A complex moulded brick band runs along the first floor, with a simpler band at attic level. Each cross-wing has a Dutch gable topped with limestone ball finials at both the base and apex. The left-hand gable bears the wrought iron initials "I over 16", and the right-hand gable displays "A over 21", possibly representing the initials of John Aylmer, the owner at that time. The roofs are covered in plain tiles, and massive red brick chimneys, each with three octagonal flues truncated just above the base, are located on the side walls and at the rear. A central axial chimney is a 19th-century addition. The original mullioned and transomed windows, which were initially made of plastered brick, now consist of four replacements from the 19th and 20th centuries in limestone, with those on the upper floor featuring moulded pediments. Throughout, the windows are iron casements with leaded lights. Beside the entrance are a pair of canted bays, with six-light windows. A 19th-century print indicates that these bays originally terminated in gablets with dormer windows to light the attics. The fine central entrance porch is truncated above the first storey. The outer doorway has a round-arched form with Doric columns on square plinths supporting a deep cornice. Above this is a remnant of raised plasterwork. The inner doorway has an elliptical head with raised plasterwork quoining, decorated with raised flower or leaf motifs on each voussoir, flanked by pilasters. The original entrance door has moulded framing and small sunk panels, with the three central panels shaped like diamonds. The door’s framing is covered in large nail-heads. A small room contains a richly carved 17th-century overmantel, moved to its current location around 1900, showcasing Jacobean panelling with some Art Nouveau details. Several original fireplaces on all floors retain moulded arched heads, and oak doorways feature moulded jambs and plank doors. A rear staircase tower contains a full-height, undecorated newel stair.