Old Rectory

The Old Rectory is a farmhouse, later used as a rectory and now a house, dating back to the 16th century or possibly earlier. It has undergone several alterations; in the early 17th century for William Capel, substantial changes in the early to mid-19th century in a picturesque Tudor style, and further extensions and alterations after 1890 for William Johnstone-Vaughan. The building is constructed of timber frame with brick stucco on the exterior, and mostly plastered internally. It features gabled roofs covered with Broseley pattern clay tiles in a diaper pattern and decorative ridge tiles, with late 19th-century brick stacks.

The house consists of a double-depth block with two parallel gabled ranges, with two late 19th-century wings to the rear, and an attached garage on the east side. The symmetrical front facade has three bays, with a cross gable above the central bay. A late 19th-century timber-framed entrance porch sits centrally on the ground floor, with a gable to the front and open arcaded sides. Each end bay has a 19th-century timber oriel window with timber casements. The first floor features three timber three-light casements with arched lights, horizontal glazing bars, and eared hoodmolds. A single light casement, similarly detailed, is located in the central gable. Casements matching the front are found on the west side, partially obscured by the garage, and two-light casements are situated in the end gables of the front range. A timber-framed wing extends from the rear.

The interior includes a central entrance hall with an 18th-century tiled floor of marble and slate, likely brought in during the 19th century. A restored late 16th or early 17th-century staircase includes carved panelling, also brought in, featuring a 19th-century door with 16th-century linen-fold panelling and a wood panel carved with the arms of the City of Gloucester (1535-1681). A reset wood panel carved with the coat of arms of the Wood family, dated 1590, is beneath the staircase. Large rooms flank the hall, with original chamfered beams and ornate 19th-century cast-iron chimney pieces. To the left of the rear range is a kitchen with chamfered beams and joists, and an early 16th-century fireplace that has been partially infilled. The first floor shows further evidence of timber framing, and the attic contains exposed roof trusses with stop-chamfered spine beams with run-out stops.

The building is reputed to incorporate features from the former Tolsey at Gloucester Cross, demolished in 1893, and woodwork was likely restored and embellished by G.A. Howitt, who also carried out similar work in the Tudor Room at No. 8 Westgate Street in 1891. Originally known as Colliers, the house served as the rectory for St Aldate's Parish, Gloucester, from 1759 to 1856. William Capel was Mayor of Gloucester, and William Johnstone-Vaughan, also Mayor of Gloucester, was an antique dealer and collector.