The Ranger'S House

The Ranger's House, formerly known as Chesterfield House, was built around 1690 by Andrew Snape, with additions made in the mid-18th century and early 19th century. The main west front features two storeys and a basement with seven windows. It is constructed of brown brick with red brick dressings, and includes a stone dentil cornice and a restored balustraded parapet. A stone band runs along the first floor, and there is a stone moulded plinth coping. The central portion of the building is faced in Portland stone and is slightly recessed.

The central entrance is framed by Ionic columns and pilasters on pedestals, supporting a dentil cornice and a pediment. The entrance features an eight-panel door with a radial fanlight, set in a moulded architrave with impost blocks and a mask on the keystone. Carved festoons are found in the spandrels, and the small flanking windows have sunk panels above and below. On the first floor, there is a round-arched central window with a moulded architrave, impost blocks, and a keystone, along with small flanking windows that have entablatures. Other windows are recessed sashes with glazing bars, set under gauged, segmental red brick arches, and have sunk panels below.

When Lord Chesterfield acquired the house in 1748, he added a one-storey south wing made of pinkish-yellow stock brick, featuring projecting bows at the front and rear. This wing includes a stone entablature and a blocking course, with a stone band that continues with the first floor band of the main house. It contains a suite of ballrooms and is believed to be designed by Isaac Ware. A north wing, built later, has a similar front but lacks the back projection, and both wings feature remarkable square, tapered brick chimneys. A rear extension mirrors the main house but does not have the stone-faced centerpiece and includes a terrace along the back.

Inside, there is a panelled hall with round arches and an early 18th-century staircase featuring a cut string and three turned balusters, the middle one being fluted. The handrail is ramped with a spiral end, and the fluted newel posts have carved step ends. The stairwell has a panelled dado with fluted pilasters, and several original marble fireplace surrounds remain. A plaque from the London County Council commemorates the residences of the 4th Earl of Chesterfield and Lord Wolseley.