Old Manor House

The Old Manor House is a house dating back to the 15th or 16th century, with alterations and extensions in the early 17th century, the mid-19th century, the mid-20th century, and a further refurbishment for Mrs. McIlquham. The house is constructed with timber framing on a stone plinth, with brick nogging or rendered infill, and a tiled roof, with concrete tiles to the porch, alongside a late 20th-century brick wing.

The main wing has three bays, while an end wing has two bays, forming an ‘L’ shape. There is a single-storey wing in the corner and a lean-to extending from a larger section. Windows are casement style, with mid-20th century metal opening lights and leaded lights. The larger wing’s gable faces the road and features close studded framing to the ground floor, with curved braces on the corner posts. The first floor is jettied, with framing three panels high, square panels at the top and bottom, curved braces connecting the corners, and a taller, close-studded centre. A paired 2-light casement window is centrally positioned above larger square panels. A cambered tie-beam, collar, and close-studded infill are present, with a Carolean royal arms in the centre (dating from the 20th century). A brick lean-to wing is located on the right.

The left return presents framing similar to the ground floor gable, incorporating a curved bracket to the jetty, a 3-light window, and paired single lights. A moulded beam runs at first-floor level. Above, the framing matches the ground floor, with three 2-light casements; one is set within an originally wider opening. A chimney sits on the ridge towards the left end. A single-storey, open porch is located on the left, featuring a king-post truss roof with curved struts. A single-storey wing, slightly set back and incorporating dummy 2-panel framing and a single-light casement, is adjacent. Above this, set back behind the roof, is an upper-floor 2-bay wing with framing two panels high. Two-light casements are flanked by single lights, with angle-struts from the wallplate to the corner post on the right. The gable features a high collar and blocked window, with curved apex struts and a ridge chimney to the right.

The left return’s first floor is jettied. The ground floor framing is close studded, two panels high, with a 3-light window. Above, the framing is as the gable facing the road, with a three-light window over a plain centre. A gable with a high collar and blocked window, with curved apex struts, completes the structure. The interior was not inspected, but the Victoria County History noted Carolean royal arms over one fireplace, with remains of others, in 1968.

The three-bay wing projecting towards the road is the oldest section, while the two-bay wing at right angles was likely added in the early 17th century, when the upper portion of the gable on the first section was altered to match. It is likely the house was not a true manor house. It was divided into two cottages in the 19th century; a lean-to to the long wing appeared by the early 20th century and was subsequently refaced in brick. The house was combined into a single occupation and the porch was built in the angle in the 1960s. The house forms a group with the Church and Staverton Lea Farmhouse.