Tower House

MENDLESHAM CHURCH ROAD TM 16 NW 7/40 Tower House 29.7.55

GV II House. In 2 main phases: to right of stack, early C17 with possible earlier origins; to left of stack an in-line later C17 addition. Timber framed and rendered, plaintiled roof. 2 storeys and attic. 5 windows, casements of 2-6 lights with mid C20 square-leaded glass. Central lobby entrance: architrave with fluted colonnettes and a cornice; the door, in 2 leaves, has 6 flush panels with reeded surrounds. To extreme right is a further doorway: moulded architrave with dripboard, half-glazed door. 2 flat-roofed dormers with square-leaded windows. Internal stack has plain C17 axial shaft. Later stack at left gable end. Interior. Modernised. In earlier phase, main upper room has exposed studs, plaster-encased floorbeams and square joists. Ceiling of room below has chamfered beam with lamb's tongue stops, the joists concealed. Butt purlin roof, not fully exposed. Most of timbers in later phase are concealed, those at left end showing damage from a fire. Rebuilt newel stair by stack. A ground floor fireplace with fluted carved surround and adjacent segmental-headed cupboard, both restored mid C20. Much C18 joinery, some C19 cast iron grates. Small part of earlier phase now incorporated in No.1, Front Street (qv. Item 7/45).

Listing NGR: TM1052165786