Ashcombe House

Ashcombe House is a country house built in the early 18th century, with alterations made in the 19th century and 1930s. It is constructed of English bond brick and features a tiled hipped roof with brick stacks. The house is L-shaped and represents the truncated remains of a larger structure. It is two stories tall with four windows across the front. The entrance has a 1930s Gibbs surround with a scrolled pediment. To the right of the doorway is a 9-pane sash window with decorative leading, while to the left are two similar sashes, all of which have segmental heads and keystones. The first floor has four matching 9-pane sashes. There is a moulded stone cornice and a blocking course with limestone coping. The right side of the house has two 6-pane sashes on the ground floor, and the left side features a lean-to extension on the ground floor and 9-pane sashes on the first floor. The rear garden front has three 9-pane sashes with segmental heads and keystones, as well as French windows. The first floor includes a 1930s 18-pane sash window lighting the stairs and two additional 9-pane sashes. The interior was not accessible during the survey in March 1985, but it is reported to have Chinese Chippendale stairs, with most fittings likely dating from the 20th century. A large house was originally built on this site by the Barber family in the late 17th century, which was altered and partly demolished in the mid-18th century by Sir Walter Grove. The current smaller house is a remnant of the eastern wing. Notably, it was occupied by the society photographer Cecil Beaton from 1930 to 1947, during which time the house was renovated.