Vanbrugh Castle

Vanbrugh Castle, built in 1717 with later additions, was originally constructed as a residence for Sir John Vanbrugh. The building is primarily of stock brick, with subsequent additions in plum-coloured brick. The original structure is three storeys high with a basement, and incorporates three four-storey towers, the central one being round and projecting from the main west front. An arched corbel table sits below the parapets of the walls and towers, with the angle towers being battlemented. The central tower is topped with a conical copper roof. A substantial band runs along the second-floor cills, while a plinth defines the basement. Sash windows with glazing bars and Y-bars in the heads are set within gauged, round brick arches, with impost blocks. Impost bands originate from the round tower windows, and the upper tower windows are square-headed and blocked. Ground and first-floor windows of the front round tower are also blocked. Recessed, single-bay sections flank the tower. A later square, wooden Doric porch, complete with a wrought iron handrail to the steps, is situated in the right tower angle.

The north front displays two bays of the original building on the right, and a two-storey, two-window extension to the left, distinguished by a tall, battered central chimney stack. The rear elevation features a central round tower in a projecting section, flanked by rows of round chimneys, and single-bay side wings of two storeys and a basement. A projecting, bowed wing from the late 18th century on the right has a Venetian window in its one-storey end. A later 18th-century three-storey, three-bay east addition features a projecting centre bay with a central window and narrow flanking windows on each floor; those on the first and ground floors are round-headed, creating a Venetian effect. Impost bands cross the centre bay, with the gauged brick arches of the side windows breaking through them. Some original glazing remains, along with some restored sections. At the south end, a projecting chimney tower bifurcates to flank two round arches. A modern, two-storey, six-window south wing, built in a similar style, projects westward, alongside a further four-window classroom extension.

The interior contains few original features, including two stone fireplaces in a medieval style; one has late 17th-century Dutch tiles. Passages are notably narrow, featuring interrupted segmental vaults. A plain stone newel staircase is present, with some treads renewed. All doors are round-arched, and a partly barrel-vaulted brick cellar is also present. A London County Council blue plaque states "Sir John Vanbrugh Architect and Dramatist designed this house and lived here c.1719-26."