Wardington Manor

Wardington Manor is a grade II* listed house of 16th-century and earlier origins, substantially remodelled in 1665 for George Chamberlayne, whose initials and crest appear on a datestone on the east front and on lead rainwater heads.

The building underwent major architectural campaigns in the early 20th century. Between approximately 1905 and 1914, architect Clough William Ellis added a kitchen and north-west wing in 17th-century style. Further extensive alterations and additions followed between approximately 1917 and 1930 by architects G.H. Kitchin and Randall Wells, commissioned by the first Lord Wardington. These included: a library in the south-east wing, begun by Kitchin and completed by Wells; two oriels with ogee canopies and finials on the wings of the east front (one by Kitchin, one by Wells); a loggia beneath the west end of the south front by Wells; a two-storey gabled porch with Tuscan columns and triglyph frieze by Kitchin; and a main entrance porch on the north-east by Randall Wells.

The building presents as an irregular H-plan of two storeys with attics. The stone plinth foundations of the 15th and 16th-century core are of coursed ironstone, with ironstone ashlar used elsewhere. Steeply pitched roofs are laid in red tile and stone slate, with stone-coped gables and moulded kneelers. Ridge and end stacks are mostly paired on chamfered stone bases.

The east elevation, facing the road, is the principal façade. The central section is flanked by two projecting wings in a 1:2:1 bay arrangement. The central entrance preserves an original oak door with planks and boards, covered by an external rail. The entrance is flanked by five-light wood mullioned windows with wood lintels. The first floor has two similar six-light windows with wood lintels. A stone parapet displays the datestone and crest. Two gabled dormers break the roofline. The wings contain 20th-century oriels with two-light mullioned and transomed windows under hood moulds with label stops, alongside blocked wood mullioned windows, a sundial, and further mullioned and transomed windows on the returns.

The interior retains significant original and inserted features. An open well staircase of approximately 1600 in the south wing features tapered balusters and newel posts with lantern finials. Moulded wooden doorways line the landing. The timber roof in the south wing has arched wind-braces possibly of 15th-century date. Two-panelled doors with H-hinges survive. The hall contains an imported 17th-century stone fireplace with a four-centred arched head, together with 17th and 20th-century panelling.

The library, formed by combining two floors, is considered the most spectacular room. It features an open timber roof in 14th-century style incorporating early timbers. At one end, a 17th-century style staircase and gallery, copied from the original in the south wing, rises to a gallery bearing a large strap-work crest of approximately 1600. Much of the library panelling dates to the same period and is divided by fluted pilasters; an overmantel features blind arcading and was brought from Theydon Bois in Essex. The former organ loft now forms part of the library space.

Plasterwork decoration, executed by Mrs. Randall Wells (Molly Cochrane), distinguishes the interior. The entrance hall displays luscious plasterwork including a bold chevron pattern with bands of flint and a frieze of serpents. In the window reveals are birds in coils of foliage, while the ceiling features Art Nouveau interpretations of Jacobean designs with plaster ribs and pendants. A thinner relief on a wall depicts a crowned figure with a viol amongst flowering trees and exotic birds. The stairwell and bedrooms contain plasterwork of simpler design.

Seven rooms throughout the house retain panelling, ranging from oak work of approximately 1600 to oak designed by Mrs. Randall Wells in approximately 1930 for the principal bedroom.

In 1665, George Chamberlayne paid Hearth Tax on 15 hearths. The manor was purchased by George Loveday in 1874, who undertook gradual restoration. Subsequent owners included the Shaw and Wallace families, and from 1917, J.W. Pease, created first Lord Wardington.