The Priory

The Priory

This is a house that was formerly a rectory, with origins in the late 15th century. The building has undergone substantial development over time, with probable early 16th-century alterations, further modifications in the 17th and 18th centuries, considerable extensions in the early-to-mid 19th century, and alterations during the 20th century.

The exterior walls are constructed of stone rubble, partly rendered, with a gable-ended slate roof. The chimneys include a wide projecting rubble lateral stack at the side of the older range with a brick shaft, a very small octagonal stone ashlar stack with a crenellated top on the front gable of the old range (apparently of late Medieval date), and a rendered brick stack to the rear right-hand gable end.

The building presents a complex plan resulting from its long development. It now consists of two parallel ranges connected by a central range, which contains a staircase at the rear and a hallway to its front. The left-hand range is the original medieval structure, which must have been built initially as an open hall with a central hearth. What survives appears to be only part of a Medieval house, possibly originally built around a courtyard, indicating it was of considerable high status. The presence of a Medieval chimney stack on the front gable, which serves a first-floor fireplace, suggests that a first-floor chamber was inserted at this end of the hall by the early 16th century—a development reflecting the building's status as a rectory. By the 17th century, the remainder of this range had been floored and two lateral fireplaces were added: one at the far end on the left-hand wall to heat the rear room, and one on the right-hand wall to the front room. Eighteenth-century alterations included modifications to the windows. In the early-to-mid 19th century, substantial additions were made to the right-hand side of this range, probably replacing earlier buildings. These additions consist of a stair wing and a three-room range parallel to the old one, projecting slightly from it. A narrow gap originally existed between the two parts, which was later filled in. The 19th-century range was heavily remodelled during the early 20th century.

The exterior presents two storeys with an asymmetrical double-gabled four-window front. The left-hand window belongs to the older range and is recessed. The front features two 20th-century 12-pane sashes on the first floor and one below to the left, with a 20th-century part-glazed door to its right. All windows are set in early 18th-century openings with stone segmental arches above. Over the first-floor windows is a recessed plaque carved with a worn coat of arms, reputedly of Elizabeth I. Below is a small slate sundial. A 20th-century porch or conservatory has been built in front of this gable, projecting parallel to the right-hand gable. The right-hand gable has been extended at its left end, with a visible straight joint marking the join between the two parts. It has a 16-pane 19th-century sash on the first floor to the left, with three late 20th-century windows elsewhere. The right-hand front elevation to the 19th-century range has late 20th-century casements with two bay windows on the ground floor. A lower small range at its right-hand end has 19th-century 16-pane sashes on the first floor.

The interior retains significant features within the older range. The front room contains good 17th-century panelling with moulded rails and fluted Ionic pilasters, though this panelling fits awkwardly in the room and may be reused. There is an open fireplace with a 17th-century chamfered and step-stopped wooden lintel. Several early 18th-century two-panel doors survive. One original cruck truss of massive scantling remains, featuring a morticed cranked collar and vestiges of windbracing. A partition inserted under the collar retains remains of 17th-century decorative plasterwork consisting of two flower heads. The other roof trusses are of an unusual scissor-braced form, with braces halved into the principals, and appear to date to the late 17th or 18th century.

Despite the substantial later additions, the surviving early fabric of this house is of considerable architectural interest.