Great Ote Hall

Great Ote Hall is a Grade I listed T-shaped house located in Wivelsfield. The original section of the house, which dates back to around 1550, is a timber-framed building with plaster infilling and close-studding. This west wing has been restored and features a Horsham slab roof and casement windows. The east wing was added by Thomas Godman in 1600, which is also timber-framed and restored, and bears the date on it.

The north front of the house forms an L shape and has chimney breasts on the west walls of both the west and north wings, with the lower portions made of ashlar and the upper parts of red brick. The north wing features a gable that oversails on brackets with a carved pendant, and below this gable is a two-storey bay. The west wing has a similar dormer and a modern two-storey gabled porch. The east front has three windows, with the outer window bays slightly projecting and featuring two-storey gabled dormers above. The central window bay projects more significantly and includes an oriel window on the first floor, topped with a pediment that displays the initials G. T. M (for Godman, Thomas and Mary) and the date 1600 on the tympanum. There is also a brick chimney breast on the south wall.

Inside, the house contains a staircase from around 1600, along with contemporary panelling and stone fireplaces. A modern L-wing has been added to the southwest in a matching style. Historically, the house was occupied in the early 18th century by General Sir William Shirley, who served as Governor of Massachusetts and the Bahamas. From 1761 onwards, it was occupied by Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, who converted a room into a chapel where her chaplain, the Reverend W. Romaine, frequently preached.