Manor House

Manor house, dating to the 17th century and possibly rebuilt in 1659 for George Bond, stands on the site of the 'Great Grange', formerly the seat of the Proctor-General in England for the Abbot of Bec-Hellouin. The house is constructed of English bond brickwork on a limestone and flint foundation, with a noticeable offset at the water sill. It has two storeys, cellars, and attics, with a double range plan centered on a stair hall. The rear range is wider and features very large stacks. A service extension is located on the north-west corner, while the front range was altered in the 18th century. The front facade has a central doorway framed by elaborate consoles and a canopy, with flanking tripartite sash windows protected by stone hoodmoulds. The eaves are coved and the roof is hipped, with a separate roof for the rear range. The rear range has five bays; a central 17th-century panelled door is set within a monolithic four-centred stone arch, with a similar opening, now blocked, between bays four and five. There are two- and three-light stone windows with ovolo mouldings and labels. Lower floor and stair windows feature transoms and brick segmental relieving arches. Five gabled dormers are visible on the rear roofline. Two-light cellar windows are also present. A 17th-century moulded timber doorcase has been re-used in the garden wall adjoining the north-east corner of the house. A datestone in a stack reads "AN DO 1619(?)" and an unfixed stone internally bears the inscription "I.L.1763". The front reception rooms contain stacks against the rear walls, with one featuring a stone fire surround. The stair hall contains a 17th-century balustrade of bobbin turned balusters, extending to the attic level. The two eastern rooms are lined with original 17th-century oak panelling, with the front room being painted. The original 17th-century front door has been re-used as a door to the library in the south-west corner.