Borough Court

Borough Court is a large house dating back to the 15th century, with significant alterations in the 16th and 20th centuries. The core of the house is a 5-bay timber-framed hall, retaining heavy roof framing including a cambered collar supported by arch-bracing and a massive tie-beam. This hall has been sub-divided into two storeys and an attic. Later additions include a substantial two-storey Tudor block on the north side and a two-storey extension to the south, plus a single-storey wing on its east side and a further two-storey service wing. The roof is tiled throughout with half-hips, with two small dormers on each slope above the oldest part. The south block features a brick dentil verge. At some point, the roof of the Tudor block was turned at right angles.

The walls are red brick, with the east wall of the hall and the external walling of the Tudor block in English bond and the remainder in Flemish bond, mostly from the 20th century. A first-floor band is present on the east front, and the Tudor block has moulded brick drip moulds at the first and second floor levels on the north face. The C16 block has a high plinth. The north face features two massive chimneys with octagonal flues above rectangular bases, the flues exhibiting base and top moulds (concave in form), with a raised spiral pattern on the middle flue of the larger unit. Several filled openings with chamfered reveals indicate former window positions on the Tudor block. Elsewhere, there are casements of varying sizes, along with some larger mullioned and transomed oak-framed leaded lights from 1906, including a two-storey bay at the south end and an oriel (with an ogee lead top) above a plain light on the west face of the Tudor block. This oriel replaced an altered sash window of the 18th century, and the service block also has sash windows. Modern brick porches have been added.

Inside, a large chimney breast, built within the south end of the old hall, rises to a Victorian stack. Behind the Tudor stack, the first-floor fireplace has a stone surround with a four-centred arch, chamfered edges, a recessed spandrel, and mouldings stopped at a chamfer on each side.