Old Manor House

This is a hall house dating back to the 15th century, with significant extensions built in the 16th and 17th centuries, and a front facade rebuilt in the early 19th century. The house is timber-framed, with exposed close-stud frame to the first floor on the right-hand side, infilled with lime cement, and whitewashed below. The lower parts of the front are rendered, while the return fronts and rear are red brick. The roofs are covered in plain tiles. The main front of the house faces north, featuring a hall in the centre/left, and three wings radiating to the rear. Diagonal and end stacks are present on the front range.

The house is two storeys high, with attics in the rear wings. The original front (facing north) had a jettied upper section on the right, with exposed joist ends. The first floor now has two twelve-pane sash windows in reeded surrounds, with three windows below. Similar windows are found on the first floor centre, along with two windows on the ground floor. The left side of the front has two windows on both floors. A half-glazed door is located on the ground floor left, and the main door is on the left of the centre, set within a reeded surround and featuring ogee intersecting tracery in the transome light above. A pair of doors are positioned between these, with a diamond-panel above the lintel. The rear wings show exposed 17th-century brickwork and include plat bands on the ground and first floors. C20 sash windows have been placed in the older openings.

Inside, the large central hall retains its principal ceiling beams, including a scroll carved corbel to the spine beam. A staircase with turned balusters, likely from the early 18th century, is present. C16 and C17 panelling has been re-installed in the dining room. The east wing contains a secondary hall, dating to the 15th century, with exceptionally thick ceiling beams. A spiral staircase with stone treads is located alongside the side walls, together with a very large and deep fireplace. A staircase window contains two panels of armorial glass, one thought to be from the late 17th or early 18th century and representing the arms of C16 Lady Catherine Grey, sister of Lady Jane Grey. The other panel is believed to be from the 16th century and depicts the arms of Lord Hertford, her husband. Several bedrooms on the first floor have exposed wall and ceiling beams, along with some refixed dado panelling. The roof of the older section retains its original principal rafters.

The house is reputedly an extension by Cardinal Wolsey and was once part of his estate. It is associated with Lady Jane Grey and her husband, Lord Hertford. William IV reportedly stayed here on occasions during his friendship with Lady Caroline Wood at Littleton Park. The house was the home of the Bouwens family, of Dutch origin, for approximately a century.