Rookesbury

WICKHAM SOUTHWICK ROAD SU 51 SE 6/15 Rookesbury (formerly listed as Rookesbury Park School) 6.3.67 II*

Mansion, now a school. 1824. Walls of stucco, with 'Greek' classical details; plinth, moulded cornice below a blocking course (shallow parapet), wide pilasters of small projection, architraves to window openings (with frieze and cornice to the ground-floor). Hipped slate roof. Symmetrical treatment of the three main two-storeyed facades; the west front elevation has a porch with a window at each side, flanked by pilasters. Sashes in reveals. The porch projects with a window at each side, the Portland stone front part having four smooth columns, with pilasters (coupled on the return elevation), a pediment, Ionic details, the stone-flagged area finishing as three steps between flanking walls: within there is a doorway with an architrave, a plain frieze, and a cornice supported on console brackets, and half-glazed doors. The wider south elevation has a central full-height bay of elliptical form, 1.1.3.1.1 windows. Sashes, those to the ground floor of the outside bays being triple, in the centre a French window. The east elevation has 2.1.2 windows, and from it to the north side extends a lower two-storeyed service wing of 2.1.2 windows, linking to a taller crosswing: behind the centre of the wing rises a clock tower with an upper bell stage, square form with corner pilasters and pyramid leaded roof: in front of the wing (and masking its lower part) is a curving verandah of 6 bays, with flat roof and trellis columns. Neat C20 extensions have been built, within the L-shape of the complete service block, and beyond the verandah. Inside, the main block retains many original details, including a large entrance hall with niches, and a stone floor.

Listing NGR: SU5799411303