The Lynch with detached Squash Court

The Lynch with Detached Squash Court

A country house designed by CHB Quennell for Allan Hughes, built between 1911 and 1913 and extended in 1923. The house is constructed primarily of Hawkcombe stone with a slate roof, planned to a T-shaped layout with two principal storeys, attic floors and a basement. The entrance elevation faces north, with the principal rooms facing west, overlooking the gardens and the valley beyond.

The house is built in the Arts and Crafts style, characterised by a long, low principal elevation with a tall roof and prominent chimney stacks. Windows throughout are timber mullioned and transomed with leaded lights and cambered heads. The main entrance is contained in the northern gable end within a two-arched loggia, with a tall external chimney stack rising above the ridge line. The door is battened with ironwork and a thick timber surround, and the original bell pull survives adjacent. Narrow window lights flank the chimney on each floor, including at attic level. A single storey wing with a dormer window projects to the east.

The west elevation consists of seven bays. The central three bays at ground floor level have an arched loggia with steps to an enclosed space with doors giving access to the hall. This central portion is articulated by tall chimney stacks either side of the loggia, with outer stacks at the gable ends, and decorative rainwater goods echoing this pattern. The southern gable end is similar to the north and has a projecting square bay with a balcony above. The rear elevation at the southern gable contains a two-light traceried window with trefoil heads and carved spandrels, possibly reused from elsewhere.

A projecting wing to the rear of the house, partly comprising the 1923 extension, is in the same style with tall roofs, partly hipped gables and tall chimneys with dormer windows between. To the south are two oriel windows at first floor level with square bays matching that on the original house, with slate hanging underneath. The northern side of this range forms a service courtyard.

Interior

The plan is largely linear. The main entrance opens to a wide hall, now subdivided, with thick timber doors giving access to adjacent rooms. The first contains a stone fireplace with timber surround. Adjacent is the former library which retains cornicing and a stone and timber fire surround with leather inset panels and private cupboards hidden in the overmantel. Beyond these is the main hall containing the principal stair, which has thick turned balusters and newel posts with timber panels carved to resemble brick or tiles. A short flight of steps adjacent leads to the loggia. The ceiling is supported on thick chamfered beams, and the floor is timber with deep skirtings. Down further stairs to the south is the main reception space with deep but relatively plain plaster cornices and a wide flat arch with panelled soffit. The fireplace has a tall stone surround with a projecting hood.

In the projecting rear range is a secondary stair with plain stick balusters, below which is access to the cellar retaining a safe and wine store, and a larder with slate shelving and a porcelain Doulton water filter originally fed directly from the estate. Beyond, at ground floor level, are service rooms including a silver room with original cupboards and doors, a linen room and kitchen.

At first floor the stair rises to a wide landing with ceiling on thick beams, now partly subdivided. Thick timber doors and surrounds give access to bedrooms, some with surviving fireplaces in a variety of styles. The rear range is similar, with some battened doors with iron latches.

Extensive attics retain original water tanks, shelving and cedar cupboards used for the storage of furs.

A freestanding squash court to the north-east is contemporary with the house. Now largely clad externally in timber, it has an open verandah to the south overlooking the bowling green. The squash court is intact internally with timber lined walls and a small viewing balcony with a central turned column supporting the opening, and a partly glazed roof supported on timber trusses with iron retaining rods.

Setting

The house stands on a high retaining terrace laid around it with flagstones and some circular mill stones, with small terrace walls and semi-circular steps to the south. The entrance forecourt and access drive to the north are laid with pebbles on end in a geometric pattern.