Willersey Manor

SP 1039-1139 WILLERSEY MAIN STREET (east side)

14/178 Willersey Manor

II

Manor house: The Manor House on 1:2500 O.S. Map. C14-C17 main body; C18 wing; C19 outshut; C20 porch. Described from garden. C14-C17 part, coursed squared limestone, C17 outshut, coursed, squared and dressed limestone. Limestone slate roof with flat gable coping on C18 wing. C18 wing and C20 porch, coursed, squared and dressed limestone with ashlar facade on opposite side to described front. Twin ashlar stack from ridge of C14-C17 main body, close to junction with C18 wing which has ashlar gable end stacks and a stack off centre right. Plan: C14-17 block runs forward to right with C18 extension attached left. C20 entrance porch to right of C14-17 block in angle made with C18 wing. C17 outshut to right of C14-17 main body towards rear. C19 outshuts to rear of same. Main body: 2 storeys and attic lit by C20 gabled dormers along right wall and single garret window with ogee cusping in gable end. Single 3-light, hollow chamfered, stone mullioned window below with C20 patio door to ground floor below. Similar 2 and 3-light windows in left and right walls of block also. Single light with pointed head in right wall. All stone mullioned windows in the main body have leaded panes. C18 wing: 2 storeys with cellar under left end and attic lit by single 2-light C20 dormer. True facade of C18 part away from garden front. 3-windowed; four, 16-pane sashes on right two cross windows with wood mullions and transoms and glazing bars, left. Interior: C14-C17 block: Room far right, ground floor, deep chamfered beams. Room over has roll- moulded beams with highly carved stops. Secret stone altar with small incised crosses hidden below window sill in upper room. History: The earliest part of the house is reputed to have been built for the Abbot of Evesham for his summer residence. In the C16 and C17 it belonged to the Roper family who were staunch Catholics, probably explaining the secret stone altar. The house has traditional associations with the Elizabethan composer, William Byrd.

Listing NGR: SP1071339493