Hurst Lodge

SU 87SW ST NICHOLAS HURST BROADCOMMON ROAD (north side)

6/7 Hurst Lodge 1.8.52 GV II*

Country House. Early C17 with later alterations and additions, brick, old tile roof.Formerly U-shaped indicated by flanking gabled wings on south-east front projecting from main part, space between wings filled by C20 addition. 2 storeys. Right hand gable has three 4-light wood mullioned and transomed windows in ground floor, a large central 3-light casement on first floor and a carved stone hound on bracket in centre of gable, a relic of the Barker family who formerly owned the house. Left hand gable generally similar but with 2 first floor and one attic window, its windows altered to sashes with glazing bars in C18. To left hand of this front is an C18 two storey, 2 bay extension with cornice and parapet which forms part of the south west front of the same date. The latter is red brick with a small stone cornice and parapet, 5 bays, the 3 centre bays under a pediment with false semi-circular window in tympanum. This block has a slate roof. The glazed central door has an arched radiating fanlight and a rusticated stone surround with engaged Doric columns, broken entablature, pulvinated frieze and open pediment. North west front has a moulded brick string at first floor and old tile roof. To right hand and centre are 6 bays with 3 hipped dormers with 2-light leaded casements, lower windows are 4-light wood mullioned and transomed, some leaded some C20, and 6-panelled door in second bay from left hand. To left hand of this section a large brick chimney with rectangular shafts and beyond two further similar bays. At the north end of this front is a service wing at right angles, generally similar in character. 3-light segmental headed casements on ground floor and oval leaded radiating window on first floor in 2 original bays adjoining house. Interior has C17 oak panelling in hall and staircase of similar date with turned dumbell balusters, and a C17 carved wood coving in nursery first floor, but not in original location. VCH p.249. B.O.E.Berkshire p.210.

Listing NGR: SU8007373718