Hengrave Hall

Hengrave Hall is a large mansion built around a courtyard, dating from 1525-1538, originally constructed by John Eastawe for Sir Thomas Kitson. The hall incorporates an earlier de Hemegrave wing. The exterior is a combination of buff brick and limestone ashlar walls with clay plaintile roofs. The original symmetrical facade was altered in the 18th century. The central gateway features octagonal turrets flanked by three-bay ranges, also terminating in similar turrets. Mullion and transome windows are present throughout, with hood moulds and arched heads over the lights. Many windows retain leaded casements and fixed lights, with rectangular, diamond and stained glass. An oriel window to the chapel has three lights, accompanied by two-light flanking windows on the west side; a similar oriel on the east side was replaced in the 18th century with mullioned and transomed windows and octagonal buttresses. The four-centred arched gateway has receding orders and enriched spandrels, with a recessed doorway featuring original double-panelled doors. Ornamental stone pillars flank the gateway. Above the doorway is a richly decorated trefoiled oriel, in a late Perpendicular style incorporating Renaissance detailing, which retains much of its original colouring. Octagonal turrets with Crocket-ornamented onion finials are situated on either side of the gateway. C18 crenellated parapets are found at the east end, while the west end has coped gables. The ornate red brick chimneys have circular, moulded shafts (with the exception of one pair which are stone). Significant alterations occurred in 1775 and again between 1897 and 1900 when the north wing was built on the site of the demolished de Hemegrave wing. The Great Hall has a splayed stone mullioned and transomed oriel with carved figure finials, a stone roof with fan-vaulted soffit, and a traceried panelled rear arch; good heraldic glass is incorporated. The hall also boasts a circa 1900 oak hammerbeam roof, a carved screen, and a gallery. The chapel’s oriel features a complete 16th-century painted glass depicting Biblical themes. Other 16th-century features include stone fireplaces, oak doorcases with ogee-moulded chamfers, four-centred heads, and sunk spandrels; first-floor coved ceilings of trefoil form with moulded cornices fixed to both lobes, and coupled-rafter roofs with trenched purlins. A large limestone fireplace dating circa 1600 is found in the Dining Room, in a Renaissance style with Ionic pilasters and a pediment framing a painted coat of arms. The chimney breast also contains further paintings with strapwork and mermaids supporting a coat of arms. Alterations around 1900 include strapwork plaster ceilings in two rooms, oak panelling, fireplaces, staircases, and radiators in the first-floor corridors, adorned with brass cases pierced with fleur-de-lys and escutcheons. Wallpaper by Morris & Co. is present in several rooms. Approximately 100 yards west are a pair of wrought iron garden gates with flanking railings, and 150 yards southwest is a wrought iron field-gate with scrolly bracing, cast iron traceried piers with onion caps, and fleur-de-lys finials. The composer John Wilby lived at Hengrave Hall between 1592 and 1628.