Rowhurst

LEATHERHEAD OXSHOTT ROAD TQ/15/NE (west side, off) 3/152

7.9.51 Rowhurst

II*

House (perhaps hunting lodge). Mid to later C16, with large C17 addition; altered. The earlier element is timber-framed with brick nogging, the later is of hand-made brick, and both have flint plinths and red tile roofs. Two-part plan formed by a rectangular one-unit C16 range on a south-west/north-east axis (with an added outshut on its north side) and a large square C17 addition to its south-east side (the axis of the roof at right-angles to the earlier building). Both elements are 2½-storeyed (the addition over a large cellar), with eaves of equal height, but the very large pitched roof of the later overshadows the earlier behind it. The wide 2-bay gabled main facade has a deep cellar wall of flint with chamfered brick coping, and a 3-course band over each floor above (carried round); the cellar has a doorway to the left and a 2-light brick-mullioned window to the right (under brick relieving arches), the ground floor has a segmental-headed doorway in the centre (probably inserted) flanked by two 3- light windows with chamfered brick mullions, the 1st floor has two square 2-light casements with chamfered surrounds, and the gable contains a restored oriel on carved wooden brackets, and 2 small vertically-aligned panels in the apex. Both side walls have 3-light mullioned cellar windows; the left side has a doorway with chamfered surround, a little square window to the left and a 2-light mullioned window to the right, and a 2-light casement and a 3-light mullioned window above these; the right-hand side has a very large external chimney stack with tiled offsets and tall rectangular flue with 2 channels, and to the rear of this a 3-fight mullioned window at ground floor and a 2-light casement above. The south-west (left) gable wall of the earlier range to the rear has an added lean-to porch and a gable chimney; the north-east gable wall has exposed timber framing, including the sill (on flint plinth), corner post, mid-rail, curved up- braces to the tie-beam, and 2 queen-struts to the collar truss; and restored 3- light casements on all floors including the attic. The lean-to on the north side is almost full height and of similar materials, with a doorway at this end and a window above. Interior: the earlier range has a large chamfered lateral beam with joists on one side which have cavetto chamfer with tongue stops, and at 1st floor an arch-braced tie-beam with 2 queen-posts approx. 2 metres from the south-west gable wall, suggesting a former smoke bay; the C17 addition has a large inglenook fireplace at ground floor, and a large chamfered spine beam. History: said to have been hunting lodge for Hampton Court Palace (reference LDLHS History p.329).

Listing NGR: TQ1599058757