Stoutshill

ST 79 NE ULEY LAMPERN HILL 4/151 (south side) 23.6.52 Stoutshill (formerly listed under Road to Tetbury)

II*

Large detached house, latterly a school, in conversion to dwellings at time of survey. Mid to late C18. Ashlar limestone. A picturesque Gothick mansion with a formal, north facing principal block with symmetrical two-storey semi-octagonal bays, large projecting semi-octagonal bay with staircase at rear, and flanked by rambling service wing to right; later, C20 extensions not included.

Maid, front, two storeys, 3+3+3 windows, all with ogee heads and pilasters with impost blocks, ground floor central pair with ogee head plus ogee, and central first floor light between pilasters. Central pair 6-panel doors under cusped flat ogee head, with Batty Langley corinthianesque columns, quatrefoil plan, with coved, decorated cornice, approached by two steps. Long two storey wing, right with central canted bay set back behind crenellated corridor connection, 3-windowed, under flat four-centred heads, sashes with glazing bars; in return at far end plain pointed windows with sashes and bars painted in blank panels, large semi-circular stair turret.

Interiors: some rich Gothick decoration especially in octagonal room, ground floor, left, with flat ogee-headed panels and delicate crenellation to cornice and pinnacled side panels to fireplace; twisted guillocle decoration to dado rail; massive stone fireplace in central hall and double doors flanked by 4 grouped Batty Langley columns, and with coved cornice with intersecting pointed arch decoration. Grand staircase on octagonal plan in open well, swept handrail to trefoil-headed balusters in two ranges, and circular newels at changes of direction; treads with moulded nosings and decorative strings combining quatrefoil and trefoil motifs. Octagonal roof-light over. Right of main hall large saloon with bay, panelled in classical manner but with Gothick decorations; partitions timber framed, plaster facings.

This is a major example of the Gothick country house style, with, at time of survey, substantial remains of original interior decor, of significance.

See also photographs in NMR.

Listing NGR: ST7871297770