Five Oaks

The following building shall be added to the list

SU 72 NW 9/52 STEEP FIVE OAKS II House, 1913 with small extension of c.1935. By Humphrey Gimson for Basil Gimson and built by Geoffrey Lupton. Red brick in English bond, plain tile roof. Neo C17 vernacular/Arts and Crafts style. The plan is false lobby entry with a large stack directly above the front door, but the house is really centrally planned with rooms radiating from the stair hall.

North (entrance) elevation. One storey and attic, three bays with central entrance with large gabled porch. Small paned casements, additional small one to left of door and stair window at landing level to right of door. Three gabled dormers with casements. Half-hipped roof. Small 1935 addition to left. All windows are oak. Gutters on wrought iron brackets.

South (garden) elevation. Small two storey cross wing to right. Ground floor has two large windows, 3 light small paned casements. Small loggia and entrance door. three dormers above and 2-light casements to gable. External doors are heavy studded oak.

Interior. Complete and unaltered period interior, the only major change being the introduction of electric light in 1935 (previously gas). Built to the highest specification in the Lupton manner with wide oak floorboards fixed by copper nails to principal rooms, brick and quarry tile paving, oak stairs, window seats, built incupboards and doors, wrought iron door furniture by the local blacksmith etc. The only alteration to the fittings is an Edward Barnsley dresser of 1935 in the dining room. All fireplaces are original, as is the loft ladder.

History. Built for the architect's brother who was second master at Bedales, it is one of a group of Lupton houses with close associations with the school which itself was intimately associated with the Arts and Crafts movement and the Gimson and Barnsley families. An almost completely unaltered example of a small house with an extremely high standard of design and finish and one which exemplifies the aspirations and drawbacks of the Arts and Crafts movement.

References. Architects drawings in house. Victorian Society. a set of 1913 photographs demonstrate the unaltered nature of the house.

Listing NGR: SU7393525315