Old Rectory

HIGHNAM HIGHNAM VILLAGE SO 7819-7919 9/47 Old Rectory GV II Former Rectory, now house. 1851 datestone, by H. Woodyer for T. Gambier-Parry; minor alterations late C20. Coursed, squared lias, ashlar dressings, tiled roof. Cruciform plan, angles partly infilled, 2 1/2 storeys. Entrance front: projecting wing to right of centre: two 2-light, reticulated-tracery windows, hoodmoulds: low buttress between with cross in low relief in plaque over. Dated cast-iron rain-water head on right: single-storey porch, polygonal head to moulded arch, up one stone step, boarded door at rear; shaped barge boards. Main body set back on right, projecting chimney breast, square-set buttress. To left of wing long, 6- light mullioned window with lean-to roof above: originally wide doorway to left with curved braces supporting wallplate, now infilled as a window. First floor: 3-light mullioned window, trefoil heads, iron opening light to projecting wing, 2-light window with simpler heads in gable over. Chimney on right return: square-headed lancet over right side porch on main wing, chimney to right, nib on centre of stack in top part. To left of wing square stair tower, 2 stepped lancets, single lancet over rising into dormer, pyramid roof, iron cross- finial. Projection with lean-to roof to left. Right return rectangular stone bay window, 5-light mullioned window, pierced spandrels to trefoil heads, hipped stone roof to smaller bay above, 3-light mullioned window, hipped stone roof; single lancet in gable over. Late C20 extension on right, single storey. Interior: dado lining to ground floor rooms, save drawing room: 10-panel doors ground floor, 8-panel first floor. Drawing room: fireplace thought to be c1770 by Bossi of Dublin, rococo marble work, bought in Venice by T. Gambier-Parry, moved from Highnam Court (q.v.). Panelling to bay window, one leaf each set of shutters survives, with original hinges, moulded stone arch to bay, ribbed barrel vault over. Shutters to study and dining room windows, original stone fireplaces, crenellated stone overmantel in latter. Walls in dining room panelled above dado, projecting mouldings, cinquefoil-head to centre panel over fireplace, boarded ceiling panelled with moulded ribs. Forms group with stables, school, church and Church Lodge, (q.v.), all of same date. (Article by C. Oswald, Country Life, Vol CVIII, 1950, for fireplace; D. Verey, Gloucestershire, the Vale and the Forest of Dean, 1970)

Listing NGR: SO7973219722