The Manor House And Barn

BIDDESTONE CHIPPENHAM LANE ST 8673 9/8 The Manor House and barn (barn formerly listed separately 20.12.60 with outbuildings)

GV II*

Large house, early C17, possibly with earlier origins, rubble stone with ashlar flush quoins. Stone tiled roofs with moulded coped gables and ball finials. Ashlar tall stacks, diagonally-set. Square plan, 2 storey and attic with triple gabled fronts to west and east. Ovolo-moulded windows with hoodmoulds and leaded light casements. casements, several window surrounds and other features are part of restoration after 1914 for F. Morley Esq. South front has single central gable with 2-light window, armorial cartouche below and 5-window range main floors, alternately 3 and 2-light. Central door with renewed Tudor arched doorcase in pedimented porch with crude swollen Tuscan columns. West front has paired stack on ridge, 3-window range, 2-light attic windows, 3-light first floor windows and ground floor with 2 early C18 18-pane sashes in architrave frames with cornice strip to left, central segmental arched doorway, and 4-light window with king mullion to right. Doorcase is bead-moulded with pilaster jambs and keystone to arch. To each side an ovolo-moulded single light and above, a stone hood with panelled soffit and scrolled brackets. East front has 3- window range, paired stacks on ridge, 2-light attic windows, 3- light first floor and ground floor 4-light with king mullion to left and right of door and right side 5-light with king mullion. Plank door in original Tudor arched surround with hoodmould. Tuscan columned porch as on south front. North side was originally 2 cross-gabled wings with triple stacks on inner gables but centre has been filled in. 2-light attic windows, 3-light first floor, centre window C20, and 3 C20 4-light windows with king mullions below. Attached at north east corner gabled kitchen range. Attached at south west corner by C20 single storey link is stone tiled barn with datestone W M E 1705 (initials for W. and E. Mountjoy) converted to ballroom c1929. Hipped cart entrances to east and west and east side lean-to. C20 alterations include large mullion and transom windows to cart entrances and south end wall, north end diagonal stack and mullion windows to lean-to's. Interior: has stone fireplaces and early C18 panelling to south east and north west corner rooms. 2 original stone Tudor archways to east-west cross passage. C20 inserted work includes steps to south east room and fireplace in barn said to have come from Manor Farmhouse (q.v.). On west front, a lead hopper head dated 1664. (Country Life, 13.5.1905.)

Listing NGR: ST8669373354