Clifton House

CLIFTON MAYBANK ST 51 SE - 8/43 Clifton House 11.7.51 GV I Manor House in grounds. Mid C16, probably by Sir John Horsey. Mainly demolished in 1786 when various parts sold and re-erected in Dorset and Somerset, a main front re-erected at Montacute. Early C17 lodge removed in 1800 to Hinton St George. House re-conditioned in 1906-7, when additions made on the north and east sides. Present house probably the east wing of the original building. Hamstone ashlar walls with half-octagonal buttresses (south front), plinths mouldings, strings and pierced stone parapet with quatrefoils. Plain clay-tile roofs with stone gable-copings, and moulded finials. Two ashlar stone stacks on west ridge. C20 stone stacks in south valley, and eitherside of east gable. South front: 3½ storeys. 2 uneven bays, of C16 with later windows. Ground floor has 2- and 4-light stone mullions with C20 metal casements and lead lights. First floor: sashes with thick glazing-bars and moulded stone architraves, sashes are coupled in the east-bay. 3- and 2-light windows in the gable over parapet, the west with a label. Gabled stone porch with finial and depressed-arch head, early C20. Door incorporates some late C16 woodwork. West front, 3½ storeys. 4 windows and also central doorway and oriel in gable. Sashes with thick, glazing-bars having moulded stone jambs and dropped keys, late C18 remodelling. Canted oriel in the central gable, of 3 transomed lights to front, and one on each return. Below the sill is a band of sub-cusped quatrefoiled panels enclosing horse's heads (Horsey) and Tudor roses. Doorway at centre, has stone pedestals. Roman Doric pilasters and entablature with segmental stone pediment. Small 2-lead door and sash window over. East front of the house, early C20 additions to core. 2½ storeys, gabled at left and right ends. 4 windows, of 2- 3- and 4-lights, stone mullioned. C20 metal casements with lead lights. Terrace at centre between the gables. Front doorway at left ground, C20, moulded stone jambs and depressed arch in square head. Plank-and-muntin door, C20. Single storey service range at north-east corner of house. Interior: east wall of Hall, 2 C16 doorways with moulded jambs and depressed arches with shields of Horsey, Turgis, Horsey and Maubank in spandrels. Reset C16 fireplace in C20 dining room. Staircase, late C16, has symmetrically turned balusters, square newels with pendants and grip hand-rails. Second floor room has C18 bolection- moulded oak panelling. (RCH3i Dorset I, p.98(1))

Listing NGR: ST5762813910