Bibury Court Hotel

A former large country house, now a hotel. The building dates from the late 16th century, with a substantial additional range and wing added in 1633 for Sir Thomas Sackville. The interior was remodelled around 1759 for Estcourt Cresswell, with further additions and alterations made in the 19th century. Around 1922, interior alterations were carried out by Nightingale and Kennedy.

The exterior is constructed of ashlar limestone with roughcast render, ashlar chimneys, and a stone slate roof. The main structure comprises a 2-storey range with attic, running north to south, alongside a south wing. The north wing was formed from the original 16th-century house, with a late 19th-century 2-storey extension added.

The east front presents a symmetrical composition, with the main range flanked by asymmetrical though balanced north and south wings. The principal feature is a central gable with moulded parapet and finials, beneath which sits a 2-storey porch. The porch has a round-arched doorway set between Tuscan pilasters featuring Serlian rustication and ball finials above a continuous ground-floor entablature. A pedimented tablet above the doorway contains the Sackville arms and is dated 'ANO DNI : 1633' on its frieze, with Sackville initials carved on an oval in the tympanum. The porch features a mullioned and transomed casement window to the upper floor with a second continuous entablature and crenellated parapet above.

The main range is articulated by four-light wide mullioned and transomed casements in 2-storey rectangular bays flanking the central gable, also with crenellated parapets. Three-light cavetto mullioned attic casements with floating cornices are set within the gables. Two-light wide cross windows flank the bays on either side of the main range wall.

The contemporary 1633 south wing projects forward with two forecourt-facing gables, each of different sizes, and two gables to the east elevation. The right gable features a 2-storey bay window. The entablature from the main range continues across this wing.

The late 16th-century house forming the north wing to the right displays two forecourt-facing gables with 2-window fenestration generally matching the main range but set at lower levels. The two gables to the east front are of different sizes. The left gable retains its original ground-floor 3-light casement with hoodmould and a mullioned and transomed casement to the upper floor, with a 3-light casement to the attic. An upper-floor 12-pane sash has been inserted below the right gable. A 20th-century rebuilt service wing to the right possibly incorporates an earlier structure. Many rainwater heads are dated 1759.

The south end and rear elevations are irregular with multiple gables, entirely rendered in roughcast with continuous drip moulds to the south end only. Several gables at the south end feature a rectangular recess in the gable apex. Fenestration throughout comprises mullioned and transomed windows with mullioned attic casements, all with hoodmoulds. Several gables have two or three diagonal chimney shafts with moulded caps. The circa 1922 alterations include a glazed arcade to part of the rear elevation.

The interior mostly dates from around 1922 with more recent alterations made in the conversion to a hotel. The former library contains interesting French Art Deco panelling and decoration by Dominic. One upper-floor room at the north end retains mid-18th-century decorative plasterwork to the ceiling and a contemporary fireplace. Some late 16th-century moulded stone doorways survive in the north wing. The attics of the south wing feature plastered cross-vaulted ceilings.

The house occupies a picturesque position alongside the river at the east end of the village. Two buildings contemporary with the late 16th-century house stand to the north: an outbuilding and stable, and the Coach House Bar.