Englefield House And Entrance Courtyard Adjoining To North East

SU 67 SW ENGLEFIELD

4/29 Englefield House And Entrance Courtyard Adjoining To North-east

G.V. II*

House. Circa 1590-1600, altered in the early C18 and again in circa 1823-29 by Thomas Hooper. Largely rebuilt circa 1850-60 by Richard Armstrong, and some rebuilding in long gallery after a fire in 1886. Ashlar, flint and stone chequer-work in plinth and beneath windows in bays, and some red brick to rear. Slate roofs. H-plan with towers to south-west and north- east. 3 storeys. Moulded plinth, string courses, pierced parapet with pinnacles and shields above bays, arched corner turrets, and stacks with single and grouped octagonal shafts. South-east front: mullioned and transomed windows with triangular pediments above windows on ground and first floors. 5 windows front with central full-height canted bay window, and projecting flanking wings each with full-height canted bay window and paired shell niches on return fronts. South-west front: main elements include: canted bay to right; central 4-stage tower with second stage oriel window and arched entrance beneath; lower brick wing to left with battlemented parapet. North-east front: main elements include; canted bay to left; enlarged 4-stage tower off-centre to left with pierced parapet, corner turrets, larger corner turret to east with arched windows and flanking pilasters, arched top stage windows, large mullioned and transomed windows in second and third stages, and triple arched main entrance beneath with arched porte-cochère; lower tower off-centre to right; red brick wing to right with battlemented parapet and large 4-centred carriage archway to right. Early C18 wrought iron gates and overthrow to long gallery at north. Entrance courtyard to north-east: wall approximately 100 metres long and of varying heights with entrance to north-east. Snecked rock faced stone with ashlar dressings. Some arched balustrading, and square intermediate and end piers with obelisk and globe finials. Interior: mainly mid C19. Double height entrance half with 3 early C18 Corinthian doorcases and triple-arched gallery; arcaded central corridor with C18 fireplace and C19 staircase; library with C19 panelling, fireplace, bookcases, pelments, rich cornice and C19 panelled plaster ceiling with C18 bird medallions; long gallery to north. V.C.H. (Berks), Vol.3, p.405; B.O.E, Berkshire, pp.138-139; Berkshire Architectural Guide, Betjeman and Piper, Murray, 1949, p.124; Country Life, CLXIX, I, II and III.

Listing NGR: SU6222871943