Castle Priory College

WALLINGFORD THAMES STREET SU6089SE (East side) Wallingford 11/167 Castle Priory College 09/12/49 (Formerly listed as Castle Priory)

GV II*

House, now college. Probably early C18 core, encased and remodelled c.1760, Cl9 and C20 alterations. Render, on brick; Welsh slate hipped roof, rendered brick end stacks to centre block. Double-depth plan. 3-storey, 5-window central range with subsidiary wings. 6-panel door with Doric pillared surround enclosed by glazed porch with lead ogee-shaped roof to centre. 12-pane unhorned sashes to ground and first floors. First floor windows have cornices and louvred shutters. Flat rendered band between first and second floors. 6-pane unhorned sashes with shutters to second floor. Dentil cornice to eaves. Wing to left: single-storey, 2-window range. 12-pane unhorned sashes. Dentil cornice to eaves. Wing to right: 2-storey, 3-window range. 6-pane horned sashes to first floor. Rear: 3-storey, 5-window centre block. Centre 3 bays project. Glazed double doors with overlights to round arched doorways to left and right. Three 12-pane unhorned sashes to centre. 12-pane unhorned sashes with cornices and louvred shutters to first floor. 6-pane unhorned sashes with cornices and louvred shutters to second floor. Single-storey wing to right with tripartite sash with glazing bars to centre. Single-storey, 3-window wing to left: central French windows. 12-pane sashes to left and right. Interior: dog-leg staircase with landings and wood baluster balustrade from ground to first floor left of main block. Dining room to ground floor right has Rococo plaster ceiling with central C18 Venetian painting, probably added late C19, of female figure dropping flowers from a basket held by putti. Various C18 fireplaces, some in Adam style. Rococo painted wood fireplace to ground floor rear centre. Some first floor rooms have ovolo moulded panelling, Second floor landing has incised plaster decorative bands forming panels and C18 curved-fronted cupboard to corner with metal-lined basin. Subsidiary service wing at right-angles to rear right: probably early C18. Red brick; old plain-tile half-hipped roof; brick ridge stacks. Single storey and attic; 3-window range. C20 French windows to centre. 12-pane sashes with wood architrave surrounds and cornices to left and right. Dentil cornice. 5 hipped dormers. Curved principal roof. History: home of Sir William Blackstone 1723-80), author of "Commentaries on the Laws of England", Home of Haylar family in mid C19. ("Historic Wallingford, a walk-round guide" J and S Dewey, 1982; "Some Notes on the Domestic Architecture of Wallingford\, Berkshire" by P.S. Spokes in "Berkshire Archaeological Journal", Vul.50, 1947).

Listing NGR: SU6089689270