Edmunsbury And Stable Block

House and stable block. Built 1928-30, designed by architect Blunden Shadbolt for Mr and Mrs Hird, with later alterations and extensions carried out by Waterhouse and Ripley in 1935 for Captain Barclay. The stable block was added in 1936. The buildings are constructed of exposed re-used timber and red brick with tiled roof.

The main house comprises two ranges, each of three storeys, with tall chimney stacks and a sweeping gabled roof. The north front features a tall gabled range on the left by Shadbolt, with an exposed timber frame, scattered fenestration including large mullioned windows with leaded casements, and the upper part of the gable overhanging the upper window. To the right is the 1935 extension by Waterhouse and Ripley, which has a steep roof matching the existing range and dormers of various sizes. The entrance consists of oak double doors flanked by round-headed casement windows with leaded panes.

The west front is formed by the gable end of the secondary range, with a shallow projecting stack containing an arched opening at ground floor level showing two windows. This elevation overlooks a sunken garden with flagged walkways, circular and semi-circular basins, niches in the walls and geometric compartments formed by low hedges.

The south front has a sweeping roof with dormer and two unequal gables, one tile-hung and one with exposed timber and brick (originally both rendered). The left gable has one large window opening; the right gable has a single window on the second floor and three on the first floor. A large ground floor opening opens onto a terrace with a high buttressed wall from which steps lead down to the garden with stepped coped wall.

The east front features a striking catslide roof through which a gable end emerges, with exposed timber beams and a four-light mullioned window with leaded panes. Two dormers sit high up in the roof.

Interior: A triple-arched screen leads to a double-height entrance hall with oak panelling throughout. A stone fireplace occupies one corner, with timber door jambs and a carved wooden spandrel in sunburst design. Stairs in the corner lead to a gallery with splat balusters. The gallery gives access to a bifurcated flight of stairs leading to attic rooms, with simple oak handrail and newels. Bedrooms on the second floor have exposed timber beams in ceilings and walls, fitted cupboards with oak doors and iron hinges and bolts, and oak window frames with tiled sills. Fire surrounds are of exposed brick with heavy carved beams for mantelpieces. The ground floor dining room and former library face south with large fireplace openings; one is brick-lined with a metal hood, the other is built out to form a curved beehive-shaped hearth in red brick and Roman tiles, both with exposed ceiling beams. The drawing room has a stone balustrade and steps leading down into the room. The west wall features a large stone fire-surround with a carved coat of arms inscribed "IN CRUCE SPERO - CEDENT ARMA - IN HAC VINCE".

The stable block, located east of the house and designed by Waterhouse and Ripley in 1936, is circular in plan, single-storey, built of re-used red brick with a shaped gable above the entrance. It has a vaulted ceiling with a door to the hay loft and a thatched roof. Original doors remain to the horse boxes and saddle rooms.

Architect Blunden Shadbolt (1879-1941) lived and practised in Surrey. His buildings are typical of the "Surrey" style in that they embody a fusion of local vernacular as seen in sixteenth and seventeenth century farmhouses and the Arts and Crafts love of traditional materials, beautifully detailed. Edmundsbury is typical of his work in the re-use of old timber, brick and tile brought together in an original and idiosyncratic building. The extension is in the spirit of the original house.