Whetham House

ST 96 NE CALNE WITHOUT WHETHAM (A3102)

5/122 Whetham House

20.12.60

II

Country house, early to mid C17 probably on earlier core with C19 extensions. Rubble stone originally plastered with stone slate roofs, coped gables and ashlar stacks. Two storeys and attic, complex rambling plan. South front range has 2 gables set to right, each with 3-light recessed chamfered mullion window and hoodmould and 6-window range below of 2-light mullion-and-transom windows with hoodmoulds, the hoods linked by flush ashlar band, the original mullions and transoms replaced in timber. Six windows above, 5 below and C19 gabled porch to left with door in plain ashlar surround within. Carved stone fragments under first floor left window. To left projects a C19 ironstone gable with large mullion-and-transom windows, west end gable is also C19 in similar style. East end gable has urn finial, 3-light to attic, and 2- light mullion-and-transom window to each floor below as on south front. Behind main range are 2 parallel ranges, the east range largely C19 or early C20, the west range C17 with two 2-light stone mullion-and-transom windows with hoodmoulds to each floor and ornate armorial cartouche between upper windows. A cross-wing at north end of west range has west end mullion window to attic and mullion-and-transom 2-light to each floor below, all with hoodmoulds. The north side of this wing has 2-light mullion-and- transom windows to each floor each side of door and further bay to left with 20-pane sash over C20 matching mullion-and-transom window. To left a C19 north gable projects and east gable of wing is also C19. East range enclosing small rear court is apparently a C19 addition behind front range and an early C20 addition with 2 triangular oriels and open gallery infilling to right. Interior mostly altered in C19. Whetham House is recorded in the possession of the same family from the C13, the Fynamore family from c1250 to 1574, then by descent to the Ernle family and in late C18 to the Money family, called Money-Kyrle from c1800. Sir J. Ernle, died 1697,was Chancellor of the Exchequer. Queen Anne stayed at the house in 1703.

Listing NGR: ST9792668156