St Giles House

St Giles House is a country house, likely incorporating late medieval remains in the basements. The main body of the house was begun in 1651 for Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper, the first Earl of Shaftesbury, with further work in the 17th century, some interiors possibly designed by John Webb. Extensive alterations were carried out between 1740 and 1744 by Henry Flitcroft, followed by further work in the 1790s, potentially by Soane, and later work between 1813 and 1820 by Thomas Cundy. Further alterations occurred in 1854 by P.C. Hardwick. Rear wings were demolished in the early 1970s. The house is built of brick, formerly rendered, with ashlar dressings and slate and lead roofs. Rendered chimneys date to the 19th century. A 17th-century rusticated brick quoin is exposed on the south front, and some 18th-century embattled parapets remain. The house has plat bands for the first floor and parapet. The main façade faces east and is symmetrical, with two storeys, attics, and basements, and seven bays. The windows are largely 20th-century replacements in an 18th-century style, featuring thick, moulded glazing-bars, set within ashlar architraves with keystones. A central doorway has a moulded ashlar architrave with a keystone, supporting a curvilinear broken pediment containing a blank shield. Five pedimented dormer windows are present. The details of the other facades are broadly similar. A central open courtyard was roofed over in the early 19th century.

Interior features include 17th-century work, such as a large stone chimney piece with sways and garlands of fruit dropping from lions' mouths and a ceiling with an oval wreath of fruit and oak leaves with side panels. 18th-century elements include Palladian chimney pieces, enriched friezes, cornices, and joinery. 19th-century additions consist of a central hallway with columned galleries, a staircase with a wrought iron balustrade, and various joinery and fittings. The basements contain a 16th-century moulded stone doorway with a depressed four-centred head. The house was undergoing renovation in 1985 to address dry rot.