The Old Rectory

ALLER CP BEER ROAD (South West side) ST32NE 4/9 The Old Rectory - GV II

Former rectory, now divided into 2 houses, of which this is the south half. C1500, two C19 reshapings. Local lias stone, some cut and squared, Ham stone dressings; some brickwork making-up under rendering; Welsh slate roof between coped gables; stone chimney stacks. Double roof plan. South entrance elevation of 2 storeys with attics, 5 bays, being double gables of 2 bays each with centre flat- coped link. Windows late C19 sashes, with pairs 4-centre arched head lights each window, under labels; upper bay 3 has a 2-light C15 flat- headed window with cinquefoil ogee head light and quatrefoil spandrels (as at Muchelney Abbey, q.v.), and below a 4-centre arch to open porch, and inside a moulded cambered arched doorway with C19 door; above this small stone shield with rampant lion holding garland. West elevation of 3 bays completely reshaped late C19: small portion of north elevation has C16 style 2-light mullioned windows, all but one now blocked: roof raised over this portion. Interior appears almost totally Regency in character and not as altered as exterior. This house represents half of the Rectory, first mentioned 1554 as being "in decay", and may be a rebuilding of the kitchen area: attached on north to Lion House, (qv) (VCH vol III 1974).

Listing NGR: ST3993329323