Hardwick House

WHITCHURCH SU67NE 9/203 Hardwick House 24/10/51

GV I

Country House. Probably early C16; wing of mid C17, with C18, C19 and C20 alterations. Flint base; red brick; plain tile roof; brick stacks. Complex plan. Tudor style. 2 storeys and attic; 8-window range. Central part-glazed studded C19 door with stone surround with 4-centred arch, trefoil carving to spandrels and hood mould. Irregular fenestration, mostly stone mullioned windows; stone cross-windows to mid C17 cross-wing to left; C19 angled 2-storey bay window to right. Cross-gables to attic with mullioned windows. Complex roof. Diagonally set stacks to centre and right. Rectangular stacks with panelled sides to left. Left hand return: 2 storeys and attic; 4-window range. Stone cross windows with hood moulds to all openings. Flat brick bands between ground and first floor, and first floor and attic. 3 cross-gables to attic, with 2-light stone mullion window to each, with blind round panel above. C18 tower to rear with oval windows and ogee lead dome. Interior: Dining room, ground floor left has rococo plasterwork of c.1750. C19 open well Tudor-style staircase. Room to first floor right late C16. Plaster ceiling with pendant bosses and portrait heads in medallions of Joshua, Julius Caesar, Fame and Elizabeth 1st (?). Frieze with strapwork decoration. Panelled walls with blind arcading and pilasters. Fireplace of chalk; overmantel panel depicts the sacrifice of Isaac. History: House probably built by Richard Lybbe, who purchased the Manor from the Hardwick family in 1526. South wing rebuilt c.1660 to replace part of the house damaged by bombardment by Cromwell's troops during the Civil War. Large late C19 additions, recently demolished. (Buildings of England: Oxfordshire, p.839-840).

Listing NGR: SU6593377732