Hidcote House

Hidcote House is a manor house dating to 1663, evidenced by the inscription "F.K.1663" at the apex of the main gable, referring to Francis Keyte. The house was altered in the 19th and 20th centuries, with former stables attached to the left now serving as a service wing.

The main block is constructed of fine ashlar limestone with a limestone slate roof. Notable features include two groupings of four diagonal ashlar chimneys with moulded tops rising from the ridge of the left wing and eaves of the rear of the main block, and a continuous eaves parapet with moulded coping. A continuous moulded string course runs above all ground and first-floor windows, except along the left wall. C20 Arts and Crafts style lead rainwater heads are present, featuring crenellated and wavy tops adorned with animal and flower motifs, mirroring designs found in the interior plasterwork, possibly by Norman Jewson. The service wing is constructed of squared limestone with a limestone slate roof, including a gablet on the left, and a limestone chimney to the right.

The house is arranged with the main body parallel to the road and a wing projecting forward on the left. The service wing, set back towards the rear, is attached to the left. The entrance facade of the main block features an elaborately shaped gable, initially segmental then stepped and ogee at the top, topped with three ball finials, the uppermost bearing a C17 weathervane featuring a kite design. Similar decorative gables are present on the right wall and the gable end wall of the left wing, alongside four pointed gables along the rear wall.

The house is two storeys and an attic, with each level lit by three-light, stone-mullioned windows with ovolo mouldings and moulded flat hoods incorporating bull's-eye windows within rusticated surrounds in broken rectangular frames. Ground and first-floor windows are predominantly two and four-light stone-mullioned and transomed, with metal casements and glazing bars. The original studded plank door, knocker, ring handle, and sliding locking bar are preserved within a four-centred arched doorway with a moulded stone surround, stressed keystone, impost blocks, and a lintel with a moulded top; C19/20 arms of the Keyte family are displayed above. A further studded plank door with original latch and decorative strap hinges is within a depressed stone arch with a flat-chamfered surround and an Arts and Crafts style porch roof with splayed eaves.

The interior ground floor of the left wing comprises a single room with late C17 fielded panelling including bolection mouldings. A late C17 four-centred arched fireplace has a roll-moulded surround with decorative stops, along with stop-chamfered spine beams with run-out stops. A linear panel of decorative plasterwork, depicting animals, birds, and flowers, is located above the fireplace. Square panelling in the hall and interior ground floor doors likely date to 1925 via Peter van der Vaals. The original dog-leg staircase retains square newels with square moulded tops, a closed string and balusters. A stone fireplace with a depressed, flat-chamfered surround is also present. The library features C18 panelling with fluted columns. One other large four-centred arched fireplace is on the ground floor, along with C17 panelling and doors, one of which has a broken, triangular wood pediment. Several four-centred arched fireplaces are on the second floor and attic floor.