The Old Rectory And Attached Wall

The Old Rectory, now a house, was constructed in 1625 for Thomas Lidyat, a chronologer and cosmographer to Henry Prince of Wales. A short rear wing was added in 1748, and further alterations and additions occurred in 1946 and 1973. The building is constructed of squared, coursed ironstone and has a steeply pitched stone slate roof laid to diminishing courses, with stone coped gables featuring moulded kneelers. Large, partly renewed, diagonally-set stone ridge stacks are present on stone bases, along with twin-shafted end stacks. The original two-unit plan was extended to an L-plan with the addition of a later kitchen wing. The main front elevation has two storeys plus an attic, and a four-window range. The ground floor features a blocked doorway and two three-light and one two-light stone mullioned windows, all with hood moulds and label stops. Similar windows appear on the first floor, along with a small, rectangular, stone-framed window. The windows have lead cames and wrought-iron casement fasteners. Ironstone quoins and a chamfered stone plinth are also visible.

The rear entrance is off-centre to the left, with a cambered arched head and hood mould featuring lozenge-shaped label stops, leading to an original oak plank door. The ground and first floors on the right have three-light cavetto stone mullioned windows, while three stone-framed rectangular windows with hood moulds and label stops at irregular heights mark the position of the original staircase, which now only extends from the first floor to the attic. The lower wing has two-light stone mullioned windows with hood moulds and label stops.

Inside, the original layout consisted of a hall and parlour separated by a central double fireplace. Each room was approximately 17 feet square. Features include moulded spine beams with stop-chamfers, and a moulded stone fireplace in the parlour dated 1625 in the spandrels. The hall has a large fireplace with an arched stone head and a bread oven over four feet in diameter. A bedroom fireplace over the parlour exhibits moulded jambs and a Tudor arch. An early 18th century fireplace and bread oven are located in the kitchen. A later staircase leads from the hall, while an original 17th century stair remains leading from the first floor to the attic. The roof is purlin construction.

The property is considered a notable example of regional architecture, built for Thomas Lidyat (1572-1646), a respected writer and scholar who served as rector of Alkerton. Attached to the property is a wall, likely dating from the 18th century, standing approximately four metres high, constructed of finely jointed ironstone with a stone coping.