Orchard Lea House

STEEPLE ASTON SOUTH SIDE SP4725 (North side) 9/130 Orchard Lea House 08/12/55 (Formerly listed as Orchard Lea with summerhouse) GV II

House. Probably originally C17, extended early C18 and re-modelled mid/late C18. Limestone and marlstone rubble with some banding and marlstone dressings; Stonesfield-slate and Welsh-slate roofs. 2 parallel ranges plus service range. 2 storeys plus attic. 3-window front, in banded squared rubble with marlstone-ashlar dressings, is probably mid/late C18 on a C17 range; it has a central 6-panel door below a 2-light window, both with flat arches and projecting keyblocks, but the outer bays have 3-light casements with lintels. All windows have C20 casements and the ground-floor right window has been altered to a rectangular bay. Single-storey range to left has 12-pane sashes (one early C18 with thick bars) flanking a panelled door. Symmetrical 3-window garden front, at a lower level, has storey band, flat arches, banding and large quoins to the first-floor windows, all in marlstone rubble; lower sashes flanking the doorway are early C18 with thick glazing bars, but taller sashes above are probably mid/late C18. Both roofs have stone gable parapets. Interior: several C18 pine fireplaces and panelled dados; C18 stair with turned balusters. See also Summerhouse (VCH: Oxfordshire: Vol XI, p24; Buildings of England: Oxfordshire: p707)

Listing NGR: SP4746725734