Abbey Convent

Abbey Convent

Originally a rectory, later a private house and finally a convent. The building was constructed in 1871–2 as a rectory by Reverend George Faithfull in Gothic style, incorporating material from the 1621 Rectory which was demolished at that time. In 1911, the owner Alfred J Bethell made alterations. A subsequent tenant, Colonel Ravenscroft, commissioned further significant additions including a billiard room, ballroom (1930) and guest suites, all designed by architect John Leonard Denman. From the 1950s onwards, the house functioned as a Dominican convent and boarding school.

Exterior

The original 1871–2 north section is constructed of coursed sandstone with a tiled roof, rising to two or three storeys across five bays. The three southernmost bays feature a central first-floor four-light trefoil-headed window and a prominent porch with an arched doorcase, sundial and two lion finials above. The end projecting gables have kneelers and finials. The right-hand gable contains an attic mullioned window and a tall first-floor trefoil-headed mullioned and transomed window. The left-hand gable displays a two-light mullioned attic window, a triple mullioned first-floor window and a four-light trefoiled ground-floor window. The further two bays to the north have gabled dormers and mullioned windows with hood moulding at ground floor. At the extreme north stands a service wing of red brick with a crow-stepped gable.

The rear elevation of the 1871–2 wing contains six windows. To the left is a section with a triple first-floor window and a four-light trefoil-headed ground-floor window. A projecting gable to the right features a two-storey five-light trefoil-headed bay. A six-light central first-floor window and a triple first-floor window serve the right gable. The ground floor of the Dining Room and Drawing Room have been extended outward; the former Dining Room has a five-light trefoil-headed window, two triple mullioned and transomed casements and a half-glazed door with strapwork decoration. The northernmost two bays have gabled dormers; the ground floor is concealed by a garden room with a colonnade of three stilted arches.

To the south are further additions of circa 1911, constructed in timber-frame with cement-rendered infill and a tiled roof with a stone chimney stack. These sections rise to two storeys with attics, featuring gabled dormer windows, wooden mullions and bargeboards. The rear has an eight-light stone bay at ground floor. The former Billiard Room preserves a 17th-century strapwork door dated 1623 with the initials WM. Adjoining it is a brick staircase tower with three staggered lancets to the first floor. The circa 1930 wing at the extreme south is constructed of brown brick in English bond with sandstone dressings, tiled roofs and timber-framed gables. The front features a projecting porch with a cambered entrance and sidelights. An angled return has external chimney stacks and mullioned windows.

The rear elevation of this wing displays a two-storey bay to the right with a six-light first-floor window and an eight-light ground-floor window. This is flanked by a flat-roofed section with two triple first-floor windows and a doorcase with a two-centred arch flanked by sidelights. The south-east side has a timber-framed gable with a two-storey bay beneath, featuring a six-light first-floor window and an eight-light ground-floor window, with a sundial to the right.

Interior

The oldest part includes the former Dining Room, now the Chapel, which retains good-quality 19th-century linenfold panelling and frieze, a plastered ceiling with strapwork ribs and stained glass windows. The Drawing Room contains early 18th-century panelling with a dado rail, modillion cornice, corner china cupboard, a fireplace with engaged columns and tiled surround featuring antique Delft tiles, and an iron fireback dated 1698 bearing the initials NL and a crown flanked by cherubs, along with heraldic glass in the windows. The former Library, currently the Meeting Room, features a 16th-century stone fireplace with foliated spandrels and shields, and a frieze of Tudor roses and portcullis, together with an oak early 17th-century overmantel displaying four herms and two strapwork panels, and 19th-century plank and muntin panelling. An elaborate oak main staircase with turned balusters rises through a painted well staircase with turned balusters and chamfered square newel posts with ball finials. The service wing includes a kitchen with white tiles and circa 1900 dresser and cupboards, three pantries (one with slate shelves) and a Cook's Office with a tiled fireplace.

The Early 20th-century wing contains a Master's Study with a stone fireplace bearing terms, oak panelling and a built-in bench thought to have been used for collecting tenants' dues. The former Billiard Room has a stone fireplace with grotesque masks and griffins with female heads. The south wing features a corridor window outside the ballroom dated to Colonel H V Ravenscroft, 1930. The former Ballroom contains a large stone fireplace with a frieze featuring fish motifs; the spandrels are decorated with lyres and crossed keys, the cornice has a frieze of beasts, and it features a strapwork plastered ceiling with heraldic glass in the windows. An oak dogleg staircase serves this room. The room above the Ballroom has a simulated open hall ceiling with oak beams. Several bedrooms have stone or tiled fireplaces with oak panelling, and there are multiple bathrooms with original fittings. The former Nursery Wing has a galleried skylight on three sides and contains a cedar-lined linen cupboard. Original central heating radiators remain throughout.