Postlip Hall

POSTLIP HALL

Large detached country house at Postlip, near Winchcombe, now subdivided into six separate occupations. The building dates substantially from the 17th century, though some 16th-century work may be present. It underwent major restoration in 1878–79. The exterior is mainly limestone ashlar with stone slate roofs.

The building follows a plan of accretion. The oldest wing faces north-east; a substantial gabled wing facing south-east was added slightly later, creating an L-shaped plan. Later extensions, including Victorian additions, were made to enclose an irregular central courtyard. Light 16th-century half-timbered work survives in the courtyard's east corner.

The north-east wing is two storeys with attic. It has seven main windows plus three in the 7+1 two-light casement dormers. The first-floor fenestration consists of 3-light mullioned casements; the right-hand three windows sit higher than the rest, over a cill band, and are 2+1+2-light respectively. The ground floor contains various casements, including two with arched Tudor heads to the lights. A moulded string over the ground floor lights (windows 3–7 inclusive) steps up to become a cill band to the right. Several ashlar stacks with moulded capping, frieze and skirt are present, some fitted with ornamental Victorian pots.

The south-east front features five main gables plus one return, all with saddle-back coping. The rightmost gable at the termination of the return wing is topped with a carved sheep as finial. This front is 2½ storeys. Each of the five main gables contains a 3-light ovolo mould casement beneath a stopped drip; the sixth gable has a similar window but with a moulded string above instead of a stopped drip. Bays 1, 3, 5 and 6 contain two-storey hexagonal bays with moulded string courses at first and second floors. In bays 1–5, large mullioned and transomed casements include king mullions to the 4-light central sections; ground floor windows are fitted with iron armatures positioned alternately inside and outside the glazing. Bay 5 contains an arched doorway with a Victorian plank door and strap hinges, backed by an inner Victorian 4-centred doorway. Three 2½-storey gables return to the left with similar detailing. Various ashlar stacks with cappings, frieze and skirt are distributed across this front.

The interior retains several significant features. The central hall in the south-east wing is approached by a door at one end in the traditional medieval manner, though the screens passage has been removed. The hall was later stripped of its former panelling when it served as a farm store in the 19th century; the room above was used as a granary. The room over the hall contains very fine 17th-century panelling and is referred to as the 'Cromwellian Room'; it may formerly have been a chapel. On the ground floor to the right is a room with a 3×3 heavy moulded compartment ceiling, heavily strapped. At the opposite end of the south-east wing, the ground floor contains good Jacobean panelling and a fireplace dated 1614. Above this room is a fine stone fireplace with panelling and frieze. In the north corner of the oldest part of the house, an open-ceiled room reveals very heavy roof ties and various stays. A single stone spiral stair survives.

By the early 1860s, the house was already occupied by four tenants—including a bailiff, carter and shepherd—with the central section used for farm purposes. Much modification has occurred throughout the building's history. Photographs, principally of the exterior, are held in the National Monuments Record.