Franks Hall

HORTON KIRBY FRANKS LANE 1. 5280 Franks Hall (formerly listed as Franks) TQ 56 NE 3/176 1.8.52 I 2. This house was built in 1591 by Lancelot Bathurst (died 1594). The original mansion was on the other side of the river but was very damp so it was abandoned and a new house built. It is a square building of 3 storeys. Red brick on a tall base of knapped flints. Tiled roof. Casement windows in stone surrounds with stone mullions and transoms. The entrance front faces east. The centre of 2 windows is recessed with a parapet over it having a small pediment in the centre surmounted by a finial. Advanced wings of 2 windows each edged with long and short stone dressings. The centre windows have 2-lights, in 2 tiers on the first floor and in 3 tiers on the ground floor. The windows flanking these have a similar arrangement of 4-lights each. The outermost windows are bays of 2 tiers of 6-lights on the ground and first floors. Stone doorway left of centre with Doric columns on tall bases, triglyph frieze and curved pediment flanked by finials. This leads into a recessed porch. The north or garden front has 5 windows of 2 tiers of 3-(and one of 4) lights and similar dressings flanking it. A gable surmounted by a finial at each end, and in the centre 3 projecting chimney breasts topped by 3 octagonal shafts each. The south front is somewhat similar but has only 2 chimney breasts, placed just within the outer gables. Six windows. Large bay window of 2 tiers of 6-lights left of the centre ground floor window with a strap work parapet over it. The west front has 4 windows and a projecting central octagonal turret. The C19 wooden cupola which surmounted it has been removed. The interior has very fine plastered ceilings, one dated 1591, stone fireplaces, panelling and late C16 staircase. See Country Life Article 26th July 1913.

Listing NGR: TQ5550267822