Crowhurst Place

Crowhurst Place is a country house dating from the mid-15th century, with a south wing from the 16th century and a north wing added in 1912 and 1915 by George Crawley. Originally built for John Gaynesford, it was later bought by Crawley and subsequently sold to Consuelo Vanderbilt, Duchess of Marlborough, who commissioned the extensions. The house is timber framed on brick and stone plinths, with exposed close stud framing above and Horsham slab roofs, hipped with a gable to the north wing. There are tall brick stacks on rectangular ridge plinths, with dentil decorations, including three diagonal corbelled stacks to the left, three at the junction of the wing, two of quatrefoil section to the left of centre, and four to the right.

The house has an L-shaped plan with a projecting cross wing to the north. It is two storeys and attics in height. The west front features a jettied wing on the first floor with dragon posts to the angles. It has leaded casement windows, three on each floor. A recessed bay behind flying braces connects the wing to the main range. The main range has an irregular six-bay facade, with the first floor jettied on a moulded bressumer to the left of centre. There is carved bargeboard and an attic casement in the gable to the left, and two mullioned and transomed windows below. Further gabled bays to the right of centre include a full-height round oriel window bay inserted into the Great Hall. A jettied gabled porch to the left of centre is adorned with floral carvings in the spandrel and jowled chamfered posts. A ribbed door is in the porch, with billet decoration above and a rich tracery window to the first floor. The left-hand return front (north elevation) has brick and stone foundations and irregular fenestration, with a ribbed door to the left, approached over a wooden drawbridge. The right-hand return front has two double jettied gabled bays. The rear (east) front is irregular with six gabled bays and an external wooden stair.

Internally, the Great Hall has a roof of ogee section with double cove, deeply moulded principal ties, purlins, and plates, close-set rafters and wind braces. It contains a deep stone and brick fireplace. A post to the left of the fireplace is inscribed "George A Crawley restored this House 1908-11”. A screens passage features four moulded doorways and studded doors, one blocked. One room to the left has fine linenfold panelling and a 17th-century fireplace flanked by attached columns. The Great Parlour has fine moulded ceilings and a stone fireplace with strapwork mouldings. The Duchess’s parlour to the south features a painted ceiling with Harlequin patterning and gilt brasses. There is further panelling throughout the house, notably oak plank and muntin panelling in a bedroom.