Shalcombe Manor

Shalcombe Manor

Shalcombe Manor is a large house occupying the site of a former monastic grange, later converted to a mill. The building is roughly L-shaped, with its west wing dating to the 16th century or earlier. This wing was altered in the late 17th century and heightened in the late 18th century. The south west wing is a late 17th century parlour wing, while the north west wing is an 18th century addition. A late 18th or early 19th century granary was built to the north east, probably dating from the building's conversion to a mill.

The structure is built of stone rubble with ashlar dressings, though the upper part of the west elevation incorporates some 19th century brickwork. The roof is tiled with end brick chimneystacks serving the south west and north west wings.

The west wing contains four windows. It has two gabled dormers, and the first floor features three late 17th century mullioned windows, with the left side mullioned and transomed and the right side a 20th century mullioned window. The ground floor has a 20th century window in an 18th century architrave on the left, a central 17th century mullioned window with hood moulding, and a 20th century window on the right. An off-centre cambered doorcase with hood moulding provides access. Three cross-shaped iron ties are visible in the attic. The south east gable end bears a tablet dated 1683 inscribed with the initials G.S. I and fleurs de lys to the corners.

The attached north east end of this wing features a late 18th or early 19th century two-storey granary with a flight of stone steps leading to a first floor loading door. This elevation has 20th century mullioned windows.

The late 17th century south west wing has two modern gabled dormers. The first floor contains two late 17th century mullioned windows (one 3-light, one 4-light), and the ground floor has one late 17th century 3-light mullioned window with hood moulding to the left and right side. A 20th century mullioned and transomed window sits in an 18th century surround. A cambered stone door surround marks the entrance, and a small opening on the first floor has been blocked. End quoins finish the corners.

The north east wing, running parallel to the south west wing, dates from the 18th century and features red brick dressings. Two gabled dormers with two cross-shaped iron ties are present. The first floor has three window surrounds with 20th century casements, while the ground floor contains one 20th century casement.

Interior features are notable. The west wing's Dining Room contains a two-inch chamfered beam with elaborate stops. The lounge has a five or six-inch chamfered beam, and a small adjoining room has a beam with run-out stop. First floor bedrooms at either end of the wing feature splayed beams resembling dragon ties. The south west wing contains a well staircase, with its upper part retaining circa 1683 splat balusters.

The first floor holds a late 17th century fielded panelled room, formerly the Principal bedroom, with cupboard doors fitted with H hinges and a faded wall painting to the overmantel depicting a shield bearing a device including three stags' heads. One ceiling beam in this room is dated 1684.

Shalcombe appears in the Domesday survey as property of the Church of St Nicholas in Castle Carisbrooke. Following the foundation of Quarr Abbey in 1132, it was granted to the Abbey and became a monastic grange until 1536. In 1544 Shalcombe passed to Thomas Hobson of St Marylebone, and it is possible that part of the west wing dates from this period. Tradition holds that the Principal bedroom was specially fitted out for a visit by Charles II.