Lambe Creeke House

SW 84 SW KEA

2/110 Lambe Creeke House

GV II

Farmhouse, said to have been an inn. C18 or earlier, remodelled early C19. Stucco over stone rubble walls. Grouted scantle slate roofs hipped to south west range on 2 levels with stuccoed brick chimneys over cross walls. Further chimney to gable end of north wing and over axial wall of service wing. Hipped roof over stair plus lean- tos. Irregular U-shaped plan with stair turret in angle between reception areas. Possibly originally 3-room plan plus later service wings, remodelled early C19 with hall and lower end with rear wing becoming 3 reception rooms with entrance passage between; upper end, built into bank, with part of rear wing, becoming large kitchen with 3 hearths. 2 storeys. Slightly irregular 3- and 1-window south west garden front. Right-hand bay at higher level with lean-to to right. Plinth, mid-floor band, rusticated quoins strips, and stucco lions' heads over openings. Stuccoed ramped and coped projecting wall with urn, left. Original early C19 hornless sashes with much crown glass. Ground floor openings taller with 20-pane sashes to left and right and middle opening with C20 French window. 16-pane sashes to first floor. Ogee cast iron gutter. North-west entrance front has similar stucco detailing but without heads over openings. 1:2:1-bays. Early C20 bay slightly recessed, left, with arched carriageway leading to rear courtyard. Second from left bay has been resited. Entrance to third bay with marginal glazed door. Right-hand bay projects with arch- headed opening, altered C20, to ground floor, and blind window over, painted to resemble other early C19 16-pane hornless sashes to first floor. Rear has original round-headed stair sash with intersecting glazing bars. 2 circa 1800 2-light casements to service area. Interior has much early C19 detail including original panelled doors, architraves, panelled window shutters, plaster ceilings, and some cast iron grates within original surrounds. Open-well open string stair with stick balusters and Vitruvian scroll frieze. Acanthus over bead and reel ceiling cornice to vestibule and stair hall. West room has egg and dart over bead and reel cornice and hob grate. Room beyond has moulded cornice and band and further hob grate within black marble surround with consoles. Kitchen/bakehouse has oven within hooded hearth to north east wall and 2 large adjoining hearths to north west wall. First floor has plaster barrel vault over passage and vaulted ceiling to north room and original grate with shell mouldings over. Some circa late C18 2-panel doors survive, one with HL hinges and one with sprung latch. A successful early C19 classical remodelling or refashioning of earlier house adapting earlier evolved plan to fashionable garden front with side entrance front plan. Elevations within rear courtyard, with iron pump over well, contribute greatly to the unspoilt quality of this house.

Listing NGR: SW8415042119