Chisenbury Priory

ENFORD EAST CHISENBURY SU 15 SW (east side) 5/15 Chisenbury Priory 4.6.52 II* Large house in own grounds. Later C17 with front of mid C18, (date 1767 and initials of Williams Grove on rainwater heads). Rendered flint and flint laced clunch. Facade of brick with limestone raised quoins. Tile and lead roofs. C17 building of 'U'-plan, 2 storeys and attics, but east wing, called the Justice Room, may be an addition of slightly later date. Central block now with central through passage. Stone-mullioned and transomed windows. Justice room has fine doorcase with pediment and consoles on to the small courtyard, late C17-early C18, with added suspended bell. West wing restored in 1886, including renewal of main first floor window. New facade added in C18, and service wing west of the west wing. Facade is of 5 bays, symmetrical, with central pedimented doorcase and 6-panelled door. Ground floor windows 12-pane sashes in stone architraves with alternating segmental and triangular pediments and pulvinating frieze. Twelve-pane sashes also to upper windows and facade extended up to make third storey. Architraves on bracketed sills, but central window has Gibbs surround and radial keyed round head. Cornice and parapet with large central and terminal wreathed urns. Dated rainwater heads maybe 2-3 decades later than facade. C17 diamond set brick shafted paired stacks. Interior: West rear wing has oak panelling of C17 and fine plaster ceiling, probably of same date. Stair to attic and one attic room also C17, panelled. All room with varied cornices, modillion cornice to hall. Front rooms panelled and with C19 ceilings in late C18 style. Justice Room and front ground floor room, severely damaged by fire c1980. Roof renewed and undergoing restoration 1985. Building is on or near the site of a cell of the Abbey of Bec Hellouin, founded 1112, of which no evidence now remains. Court last held in Justice Room in 1922.

Listing NGR: SU1396952557