The Sheephouse

PAINSWICK SO 80 NE 5/15 The Sheephouse (formerly listed as Sheephouse and farm building with 21.10.55 dovecote) GV II* Large detached house, former farmhouse. Early C17, late C18. Mainly squared and coursed limestone, but later frontage, to south is ashlar; stone slate roofs. A complex building with principal block to south, including projecting stair turret to north, and rebuilt south facade; to the west a large 3 storey cross-gabled wing, and to the east a 2-storey cottage, the whole forming a U-plan. South front is late C18 in 3 storeys with 3 windows at first and second floors, but 4 plus central door at ground floor; these are 12-pane sashes with unfluted Ionic pilasters set on channelled backing, to pulvinated frieze and pediment. At first floor, over plain cill band, two 4:12:4-paned Venetian windows and central 12-pane; flat architrave surrounds at ground and first floor openings. Second floor has three 9-pane sashes. Cornice and blocking to parapet, gable stacks to half-hipped roof, paired diagonal shafts. The west front has two Cotswold gables to 2½ storey section, left, and various recessed chamfer stone mullioned casements with stopped hoods, mostly with leading, diagonal or square. Two doors to 4-centred openings, that to centre being plank and stud. Between the doors a small light at mid-height, opposite ridge stack; a second stack to right, these with diagonal shafts, and with skirts and cap- pings. To the right, the end of the main block has external stack flanked by 2-light ovolo-mould mullioned casement with stopped hood at ground and first floors; here also a single storey extension in brick with stone-slate roof. North front has early C20 porch extension with flat roof; bull's eye opening over a 3-light casement to stair turret, and a further 2-light, high, left. Back of wing, to right has complex pigeon openings with ledges to gables; 3 storeys with 1, 2 and 3-light stone mullioned casements, including one with a deep lintel at right to former door opening. The north gable has a 4-light under 3-light and 3 light casements, all to stopped hoods. All gables coped to this wing. Cottage extension has rendered front, stone gables, stone slate roof. Two storeys, 3 windows, fixed 9-pane with central arched 12-pane plus radial bars at first floor, over a plain mid-string to 4 pilasters framing two 2-light casements with bars and flush 6-panel door. Stone stack to left. Interior not fully inspected, includes large stone fire surround of early C17 or possibly before this, in ground floor room north end, wood spiral stair from first floor to roof stage, various spade-stopped chamfered beams.

Listing NGR: SO8591308529