Mead House

CIRENCESTER

SP0202 THOMAS STREET 578-1/4/312 (North side) 14/06/48 Nos.18 AND 20 Mead House

GV II*

House, now offices. Mid C18 with late C19 alterations. Cement render to front, largely renewed 1989, with ashlar dressings, coursed squared limestone rubble to sides and rear; hipped parapeted stone slate roof to main range, stone, Welsh and artificial slates to rear slopes, wings and extensions; left- and right-end stacks to main range rebuilt in artificial stone. Mid C18 Palladian villa with centre 3 bays breaking forward with pediment over, C19 wings in matching style. 3 storeys and attic; 5-window main range with 2-storey wings, one window to left, four windows to right. Main range has five 6/6-pane sashes in plain reveals with projecting cills to first floor; 5 similar 3/3-pane sashes to second floor. Four 6/6-pane sashes in Gibbs surrounds to ground floor, central 6-panel door with decorative overlight in Gibbs surround. 2 hipped dormers with 3/3-pane sashes. Shallow plinth, rusticated quoins to ground floor left and right angles, band course over ground floor, moulded string over first floor, modillion cornice and pediment, blocking course. Wings in matching style have similar windows and ornament, 6-panel door now part-glazed with simple overlight in Gibbs surround in wing to right, moulded eaves cornice continues as moulded string over first floor of main range, blocking course. INTERIOR has open well staircase with late C19/early C20 balustrade possibly on original treads with shaped cheek-pieces, 3 square-section moulded balusters per tread from ground to first floor, stick balusters above, square section moulded newels; arcaded timber screen supported on square section reeded columns above newels to foot of stairs; late C19 timber screen with double-doors in entrance hall; ground floor front left has heavily carved late C19 fireplace with shelf supported by carved figures, heavy enriched moulded cornice. First floor front far left has small chimneypiece with bolection moulded architrave, pulvinated frieze, probably late C19. No.18, C19 wing to right, not inspected but noted as having undergone C20 alterations. (The Buildings of England: Verey D: Gloucestershire: The Cotswolds: London: 1970-: P.178).

Listing NGR: SP0202902241