The Old Rectory

COWLEY COWLEY VILLAGE SO 9614

10/88 The Old Rectory II

Former rectory now farmhouse. C18, enlarged 1797 by James Comeline, repaired 1838. Coursed squared and dressed limestone with dressed stone quoins; slate roof; yellow brick stacks and ashlar stacks. 'T' shaped plan to main body with small rectangular C18 cottage incorporated rear right. Two storeys and attic. Three-bay entrance front with tripartite sashes to the ground and first floors of the right-hand bay; 6-pane sash above. Flat-roofed C19 porch in front of a central segmental-headed recess reaching almost to eaves height; front door with 6 flush panels within a round-headed surround with imposts at the front of the porch; parapet with moulded cornice; sash windows with glazing bars within the recess above the porch. Two-storey bow window to the left-hand return with three 15-pane sashes to the ground floor and three 12-pane sashes to the first floor; band above; sash window to the second floor above the bow window. C18 cottage to rear has irregular fenestration including a 2-light casement with early leaded panes and a 12-pane sash. Hipped roof to the main body. Axial and gable-end stacks. Interior: C18 fireplace with stone surround and keystone within the C18 cottage. Mid-late C19 staircase with heavy turned balusters, ball finials and pendants; decorative brackets with sunflower and wheat ear decoration; classical style white and green marble fireplace with fluted decoration; coved cornice with simple beaded moulding in the same room. Two round-headed alcoves within the porch. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson otherwise known as Lewis Carroll used to stay with Canon Liddel at the rectory where he met the Canon's niece, Alice, on whom Alice in Wonderland was based. (V.C.H., Glos., Vol VII)

Listing NGR: SO9615414485