Manor House

Manor House. Probably mid-to-late 16th century and early 17th century, built for the Tresham family, with alterations around 1847 by E. Browning. The building is constructed of squared coursed limestone with Collyweston and Welsh slate roofs. Originally a hall plan, it now has an irregular U-shaped layout. It is two storeys with an attic. The main front has a three-window range to the right, featuring two-light stone mullion windows on the first floor. Two attic windows are set within large stone gabled eaves dormers, each containing four-light stone mullion windows. A central 19th-century plank door is set within a chamfered stone surround and a four-centred arch head. Ashlar gable parapets top the building, and ashlar ridge and end stacks have moulded cornices. A projecting one-window range, likely of earlier build, breaks forward to the left, with a central, 19th-century, six-light square stone mullion bay window with sashes and a stepped parapet. A gable above this window features an armorial plaque. The return wall to the right of the main front has large four-light stone mullion windows; the first-floor window has a transom. The elevation to the left of the main front is an irregular four-window range with three- and four-light stone mullion windows. Two attic windows have dormers similar to those on the main front. Two ground-floor casement windows have gauged stone heads, and a 20th-century window is located to the left. A single-storey range is attached to the left. The rear elevation is similar, with stone mullion windows and some 19th-century single-storey extensions. Inside, the entrance hall has a symmetrical archway with a wooden surround, featuring tapered pilasters and brackets, probably restored in the 19th century. A Jacobean staircase, also restored in the 19th century, has turned balusters, tall newels, half landings and dado with half balusters. A room to the right of the entrance has a blocked doorway with a four-centred arch head, originally giving access to a secondary stair. The secondary staircase rising around central columns has quarter landings and stone treads. A room to the left of the entrance, in the projecting wing, was probably the hall, and has since been altered. Evidence at the time of inspection revealed a large open fireplace with a four-centred arch head. Some first floor rooms have doorways with four-centred arch heads. A room to the left in the projecting range, probably a first-floor hall, was restored in the 19th century, incorporating some reset 17th-century panelling. Ribbed pilasters flank the windows and a wall opposite, and the overmantel has three clusters of short columns. A plain plaster barrel vault, probably 19th century, sits above the room, with evidence of an earlier structure above. One 17th-century panelled door is found in the attic. The building was used for a time as the Rectory.