Halewell Close

Halewell Close is a large detached house, probably a former Great House belonging to the See of Worcester. The building comprises ranges dating from the late 15th to 16th centuries, the 17th to early 18th centuries, and the 20th century. The north range and general restoration of the earlier ranges were undertaken by Leslie Mansfield in 1929. The house is constructed of coursed squared and dressed limestone with stone slate and artificial stone slate roofs, and stone stacks.

The layout forms a quadrangle, with the late 15th to 16th century range on the west, a gabled 17th century extension to its left, a 17th to 18th century range on the south side, a 20th century range on the east, and the north range dating to circa 1929. The oldest range contains the hall and measures 2 storeys across 4 bays. Windows throughout include 1, 2, 3 and 4-light round-headed stone-mullioned casements with carved spandrels, repeated on the rear wall. A projecting stair turret rises at the north gable end, with single slit lights, a cross-gabled roof and central bell lantern, flanked by a single clasping buttress. A late 15th to 16th century lean-to with round-headed lights projects to the left.

The south facing elevation displays a variety of fenestration. Two 2-light hollow-chamfered stone-mullioned casements on the first floor share a single stopped hood. The 17th century range to the right contains similar 2 and 3-light casements, with a 2-light double-chamfered stone-mullioned casement with stopped hood towards the apex of the Cotswold gable. A 19th century studded plank door on the ground floor sits within a late 19th to early 20th century moulded Tudor-arched surround with imposts, and heraldic shields set upper right and left. A stopped hood continues at lower level over a 2-light stone-mullioned window to the left. An early studded plank door with strap hinges is positioned within a moulded Tudor-arched surround to the left, set within a shallow projecting 20th century ashlar porch with flat leaded roof, marking the position of the former main entrance.

The right-hand return features a gable lit by 19th to early 20th century 2, 3 and 4-light stone-mullioned casements with stopped hoods, projecting forward to the left. An early 20th century plank door with fillets and stopped hood occupies the right-hand wall, with a stopped hood stepped up over a heraldic shield inscribed 'AD VITAM' above, stepped down over a single light to the left.

The range to the right of the projecting gable end rises to 2½ storeys with 2 Cotswold dormers at centre and a projecting stack at the far right. Windows comprise 2, 3 and 4-light stone-mullioned casements, the latter featuring central king mullions. A central 20th century part-glazed door is set back within a 3-bay open-fronted portico reached by 5 stone steps, with bays divided by cylindrical limestone columns supporting a timber lintel. An early 20th century four-bay colonnade with similar limestone columns runs along the rear, supporting a flat-roofed first floor, behind which twin Cotswold gables are lit by double-chamfered stone-mullioned casements.

The east front (present entrance front) has a gable end to the left and a Cotswold dormer at the far right. A 2-light 19th century stone-mullioned casement with stopped hood sits towards the apex of the forward-facing gable end left, with a similar 3-light window to the Cotswold dormer. A 2-storey late 19th to early 20th century hollow-moulded stone-mullioned casement with transoms lights both ground and first floors of the left gable end. 2 and 3-light stone-mullioned casements, some from the 19th century, are distributed across the elevation. A central 20th century double door within a Tudor-arched surround with ashlar quoins and stopped hood projects slightly from the facade. The early 20th century range by Leslie Mansfield on the north is designed to face into the courtyard, featuring a canted bay with stone-mullions and transoms and central 20th century glazed door, with a single-light dormer with hung tile to the right. Windows throughout all ranges are fitted with leaded panes, some rectangular and some diamond.

The roof features saddleback and flat gable end coping with moulded kneelers and pointed finials. Axial and projecting stacks carry moulded cappings.

The interior includes some early 20th century work and 17th century-style panelling, possibly incorporating some original 17th century carved panels. A stone spiral staircase within the stair turret provides access to the upper floor of the 4-bay hall. Original roof trusses feature braced collars with king posts rising from the collars, double purlins, and two tiers of wind braces. A rectangular stone fireplace with flat-chamfered surround occupies the north end, though not in its original position, while a small fireplace with rectangular stone surround stands at the opposite end. The south end contains a bay enclosed above a painted tie beam. The room below houses an original Tudor-arched fireplace with moulded surround and carved mantel, with linenfold panelling featuring a brattished frieze. Beams display run-out stops. A flat-chamfered stone Tudor-arched doorway completes the principal interior features.