Glynde Place

Glynde Place

This Grade I listed mansion stands as an exceptionally significant example of English country house architecture, notable for its unbroken tenure by a single family estate since the Norman Conquest, though it has passed through the female line on several occasions.

The house was built by William Morley in 1569, as recorded by the date and initials WM carved over the porch on the inner side of the carriage archway on the west front. The Morley family occupied it until 1679, when it passed by marriage to the Trevors. Between 1755 and 1760, the house was substantially altered and enlarged by John Morrise of Lewes, builder, for Dr Richard Trevor, Bishop of Durham from 1752 to 1771. Subsequently it passed to the Brands, and in the late 19th century was occupied by Henry B W Brand, Viscount Hampden, who served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1872 to 1884 and died in 1892.

The building forms a complete courtyard of two storeys with an attic and semi-basement. The west, north and south sides date from the 16th century, while the east side was filled in during the 18th century. The entire exterior is faced with flints with stone quoins and a parapet, with a stone slate roof. Originally fitted with casement windows with stone mullions and transoms, some have been altered to sash windows, though the glazing bars remain intact.

The west front, which originally contained the main entrance, has seven windows, now all sashes except for the northernmost. Five projections with stone quoins punctuate the facade: the central and end projections are gabled with attic windows, while the others carry chimney breasts with red brick stacks. At the centre stands a 4-centred stone carriage archway with dripstone and cartouche above.

The north front displays nine windows, all sashes except at the east end, with a gable at the east end and a gabled projection of two windows to the west. A flint and brick chimney breast interrupts the line, followed by an 18th-century bay of three windows on both floors. Three stone 4-centred doorways are positioned along this elevation.

The south front has six windows, all casements, with a projection featuring two gables and another gable at the east end. On this side, the roof is finished in Horsham slabs rather than stone slate.

The east front, today serving as the principal entrance, dates from 1755-60 and was presumably designed by John Morris. It matches the style of the original 16th-century portions. Seven windows light this elevation; if originally fitted with sashes, they have been altered to casements in the 19th century. The parapet has been largely rebuilt in red brick and grey headers. Centred and at each end is a shaped gable, the central one executed in red brick. Beneath the central gable is a projecting section with stone quoins containing a round-headed stone doorway at the head of six steps. Above the doorway are a cartouche, one first-floor window, and a blocked window in the gable. On the inner side of each end gable is a chimney breast containing a curved bay window with two tiers of six lights on both floors.

Within the courtyard, each side has a central projecting gable, with the north and south projections being wide but only slightly projecting, while the east and west projections are narrower but extend further to form porches. The centre of the east wing is occupied by an 18th-century hall on the ground floor, fitted with two pairs of wooden Doric columns at each end and a gallery above. The house retains a 17th-century staircase and panelling.