Hyde House

SP 90 SW 5/37

CHARTRIDGE, CHESHAM ROAD (south side), Hyde Heath, Hyde House

II

Small country house. Early C18 with early C19 alterations. Painted stucco with ashlar lines. Slate roof behind parapet. 2-storeys. 6-bays with double hung sash windows in moulded architrave frames to all but central two windows on each floor which are mullioned and transomed 2-light casements, those on first floor with leaded glazing and stained glass panels, those on ground floor with lattice glazing. Central glazed door with late C17 carved surround with segmental pediment and carved frieze with cherubs heads, curved brackets on beasts. Fanlight with stained glass. Each side of door is an old stone heraldic shield, with arms of Woburn Abbey and Russell. West elevation: 6 bays of sash windows. Garden (south) elevation: of 7 bays, with tall triple sash windows to left on ground floor, central wooden door case with pilaster surround and frieze. Service wing on left dated 1929, roughcast and gabled, linked to C18 flint and brick cottage and stable wing with old tile roof, C19 cast iron stalls and partitions internally. INTERIOR of house: late C18 staircase with twisted balusters; Morning Room has moulded plaster cornice and C18 carved oak chimney piece with caryatid and royal arms to iron fireback. Dining Room has good plaster cornice with urns, carved chimney piece with original iron fireback. Drawing Room has ornamental frieze and plain cornice, bolection panelling and white marble chimney piece with large scrolls and old iron fireback. HISTORY: Formerly Chesham Woburn Manor, belonging to Woburn Abbey and after the dissolution to the Russells. Home of Robert Plumer Ward, politician and writer between 1804 and 1832, and of Isaac D'Israeli 1825-6 when Benjamin Disraeli wrote his second novel "Contarini Fleming" in the house.

Listing NGR: SP9257001026