Bradninch Manor

Bradninch Manor

A large detached house on Parsonage Street, formerly the manor house of Bradninch. The building was constructed in 1547 for Peter Seynthill, with cross wings added in the early 17th century and the hall remodelled in the early 18th century. Subsequent alterations have been made throughout its history.

The central range is built in brick to the front with cob to the rear, while the coursed rubble volcanic trap cross wings are covered by gabled-end slate roofs. The single-depth central range contains the hall at ground level with bedrooms above and a rear corridor, all appearing to date from the early 18th century. This range occupies the site of the original 1547 hall, described in 1645 as "Peter's great and lofty hall". Part of the roof from this period survives, and a pair of columns at the end of the present hall probably marks the position of the original screens passage. The rear cob wall may also date from this time.

The left-hand cross wing contains the principal rooms and ground staircase from the 17th century, while the right-hand wing originally contained the dining room, servery and kitchen, though it has been substantially reorganised. The building features two axial stacks to the main range, one partially dismantled external lateral wing to the right-hand elevation (possibly the end stack of the original main range), and rear end stacks to the left-hand cross wing. All stacks retain brick shafts.

The structure is two storeys throughout, with the wings rising to an attic storey. The front of the central range comprises five bays in symmetrical arrangement with hornless sash windows throughout: six panes to the first floor and twelve to the ground floor, all with moulded timber architraves. The central first-floor window has a lugged and shouldered architrave. Brick window arches with keystones and a plat band run across the elevation. A central doorway features a pediment with cornice and modillions, Tuscan pilasters, and glazed inner and outer doors. A moulded gutter box extends across to the inner faces of the wings, which have no windows to the front.

Both cross wings present identical fronts: one window per floor with ovolo-moulded stone surrounds, a five-light attic window with leaded panes, and four-light windows with ovolo-moulded transoms to both first and ground floors. The leaded panes number sixteen per light to the first and ground floors and eighteen to the left-hand attic window, with eight to the right-hand. A moulded plinth runs around the entire structure. Terracotta mounted horsemen ornament the gable apexes of the wings (not visible in a 1913 photograph).

The right-hand elevation features a porch with moulded cornice and two Ionic columns, a two-light window above and a small dormer. The external stack and rough-cast cob work here may date to the mid-16th century.

The left-hand elevation is constructed entirely of stone. The basement contains two two-light stone windows with ovolo-moulded mullions and jambs and a chamfered lintel. The ground floor has three four-light timber windows with transom, the jambs featuring ovolo moulding and the principal mullions and transom keeled, with subordinate mullions flat-faced. The first floor displays two five-light windows and one six-light window, all timber with lintels at eaves level, eighteen leaded panes per light, and some armorial glass.

The rear elevation comprises one single and one double wing. The single wing has a stair turret in the angle formed by its junction with the main range, two single-light windows to the first floor and one two-light window to the ground floor with 20th-century casements. This wing is partly of cob and may represent the former lower-end wing. The double wing has each component separately gabled. The inner and smaller wing contains a tall three-light stone window with two transoms designed to light the great staircase, with hood mould and animal stops, ovolo moulding and leaded panes. A three-light ground-floor window with ovolo moulding and one fleur-de-lis stop has leaded panes, stanchions and saddle bars. The main rear wing features a three-light stone window to the basement with chamfered surround, and first-floor windows with three-light timber windows, each light ogee-headed with latticed leading.

Interior

Of the 1547 hall roof, four trusses remain visible with collars removed. The roof features trenched purlins with run-out stops.

The early 17th-century work is of exceptionally high standard in both design and craftsmanship. The wood and plasterwork show similarities to other commissions near Exeter and are probably the work of an atelier based in that city. The internal porch in the "Job Room" belongs to a very small group and has the strongest affinities with that at nearby Bradfield in Uffculme parish. Following the illegal removal of several 17th-century rooms by former occupants in 1980, only the "Job Room" and the main staircase remain intact from this scheme.

The "Job Room" is an exceptionally fine chamber with a plaster ceiling featuring a central pendant and geometrical designs composed of double ribs with pomegranate panels and angle sprays. Pomegranates also appear on the plaster cornice moulding. Wooden panelling rises five panels high throughout the room, with main sections measuring four panels wide and divided by pilasters, each displaying different designs incorporating trophies, musical instruments and arabesques. An arcaded frieze and cornice sits above.

The internal porch occupies one corner of the room with panelled sides and a richly decorated Corinthian column to each side of the panelled door, resting on arcaded bases. The entablature features panels filled with intricate floral designs and heads, surmounted by a strapwork crest with figures at the angles.

The overmantel above the stone fireplace (with an ovolo-moulded segmentally-headed arch) displays episodes from the patriarch Job's trials and tribulations, including Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob wrestling with the angel, among other narrative scenes. Each pictorial panel is divided by double pilasters beneath a rich entablature, the whole supported by caryatids on panelled bases.

A dog-leg grand staircase features turned balusters, moulded string, and formal foliage running along the handrail side. The bobbin newels bear lion's heads, with one griffin newel finial surviving.

Of the library and King Charles Room, formerly fully panelled with overmantels, only the ovolo-moulded stone fireplaces remain, together with plaster cornices.

The early 18th-century hall is described as "a noble, restrained, classical room" (Pevsner). It is panelled with dentilled cornice throughout. Two Ionic columns support a similarly treated cross beam, which may mark the position of the former screens passage. Panelled doors at either end feature lugged architraves and entablature. One end chimney piece displays a lugged architrave and entablature with anthemion motifs and a small central pediment.