St Philip'S Priory

BEGBROKE SPRING HILL ROAD SP4613 (North side) 11/2 St. Philip's Priory 07/12/66

GV II House, now Servite priory. Mid C17; refronted and extended to rear c.1730 for Benjamin Swete; extension to left of c.1896-9 by Sir Leonard Stokes. Coursed limestone rubble; squared and coursed limestone to left extension. Gabled stone slate roof, concrete tiles to rear; mid C18 ashlar end stacks, and late C19 end stack of squared and coursed stone to left. Double-depth plan. C17/C18 front of 2-storey, 5-window range with central projecting gable of 2-window range. Gable has raised semi-circular arched architrave to mid C18 fielded 8-panelled door with fanlight, and late C18 six-pane sashes set in mid C18 raised architraves. Mid C18 six-pane sashes with thick glazing bars to outer bays. c.1800 two-storey canted bay window to left of limestone ashlar with raised storey bands and 6-pane sashes. Rear: similar bay windows, one early C19 and the other a 1960s copy. 6-pane sash with thick glazing bars above mid C18 doorway with wooden pediment on carved brackets; c.1800 six-pane sash to left. Late C19 extension to left: of 2 storeys and attic; 4-window range; horned 4-pane sashes set in raised architraves; oeuil-de-boeuf set in central gable. Interior of C17/C18 house; stone-flagged central hall has C17 chamfered beam and bolection-moulded panelling, C18 panelled door and early C18 bolection-moulded fireplace. Mid C18 dog-leg stairs with landing to left have turned balusters set on closed string. Early C19 plaster cornices and architraves in rooms to rear and left; painted shutters depicting Order of St. Francis in room to left. First floor has reset late C16 doorway to central rear room, with Tudor roses carved on moulded architrave. Butt-purlin roof. House bought by Charles Robertson in 1896 and given to Servites in same year, as thanksgiving for his conversion to Roman Catholic Church by Servite Father in 1891. (Buildings of England: Oxfordshire; p450; Information from VCH)

Listing NGR: SP4692413966