Stoke College

Stoke College is a significant building originally established as a Benedictine Convent in 1050, later enhanced by the addition of canons from Clare Priory. In 1415, it was converted into a college and continued in this capacity until its dissolution in 1534, after which it became a mansion. The property was granted to Sir John Cheke and Walter Mildmay, and it passed to the Triggs family in 1557. Sir Gervase Elwes acquired the manor, and upon his death in 1705, it was inherited by his grandson, Sir Hervey Elwes, who died without heirs in 1763. His nephew, John Elwes, known for his miserly reputation, succeeded him. The Elwes family maintained ownership until the 21st century when the Loch family took possession.

In 1897, the architect Edwin Lutyens made alterations for Lord Lock, adding the west court, which includes a billiard room and a bachelors wing. Lutyens also designed the garden and constructed the garden wall featuring a circular window opening. The current structure is an 18th-century red brick building, likely incorporating remnants of the original priory, particularly visible in the chapel, which is now part of the library and kitchen. The building is two storeys tall, with double-hung sash windows featuring glazing bars in cased frames. A raised brick band separates the storeys. The south-west front has two wings with two-storey bow ends that contain three windows each. The south-east front displays an eight-window range, three of which are blocked on the first storey. The north-west front features a single-storey porch with a wooden doorcase adorned with Ionic pilasters and an open pediment. The roof is tiled and includes a modillion eaves cornice, while the south-east front has three dormer windows, two hipped and one with a semi-circular pediment at the center. The building is currently used as a school.