Bramshill House

SU 75 NE BRAMSHILL

5/5 Bramshill House 8.7.52

• I

1605-1612. A great Jacobean palace, having symmetrical elevations facing outwards but with a narrow interior court; the long east and west sides end in projecting wings. 2 storeys to north and east, 3 to the south and 3 above cellars to the west, all arranged below a single roof line. Red tile roofing, generally hipped but with large gables on the west side; grouped diagonal flues on rectangular chimney stacks. Walling is in red brickwork (English bond) with stone dressings, including a pierced stone balustrade parapet on the 3 main fronts, weathering bands, mullion and transom windows, arcaded openings to each end of the eastern terrace and an elaborate entrance feature. The entrance (south) front of 3 storeys has flanking wings of 3 windows (of 1703), a recessed centre of 2 steps (each of 1 window) and projecting porch of 3 storeys in stone. This is surmounted by a circle framing Prince of Wales feathers and a crown; below this the 3 levels are marked by an Orderly Treatment with coupled pila- sters on each side, a pilaster between round-headed windows at the 2nd floor, an oriel at the 1st floor, and at the ground floor an arched entrance flanked by arched pavilions (in line with the porch and forward of the recesses). The east front has 4 full-height angular bays with 2 windows between, the upper side walls of each wing are blank above 2 arches framed within a rectangular panel (and treated with classical details), the wings also have full-height bays. The north front has 3 angular bays widely spaced, with 1 window between each, above the centre is a Dutch gable with a figure in a niche, flanked by small obelisks. The ground floor of the centre bay is an arched doorway. The west elevation has continuous gables, and there are sash windows at the ground floor (above cellar) level. Within, the house is notable for the rich period decoration of its principal rooms, which include a long gallery, a great drawing room, a chapel (former chapel) drawing room, a dining room, staircase, bedrooms and entrance hall.

Listing NGR: SP7589159641