Bush House Higher Bush House

Bush House and Higher Bush House

This is a house, now subdivided, located on the north side of Bush Lane in Spaxton. It comprises two distinct building phases: Higher Bush House, constructed in the 17th century, and Bush House, a large early 19th-century addition, which together formed a single substantial residence before being divided into two separate dwellings in the mid-20th century.

Construction and Materials

Both structures are built of rendered cob and random rubble stone with roofs of slate and double Roman tiles. The chimneys are of brick, some of which are polygonal in form. Higher Bush House retains mostly timber casement windows of various dates, predominantly 19th and 20th century, though it preserves a three-light mullioned timber window (restored) in the south-east gable wall and a canted bay window to the north-east elevation of the wing. Bush House features some early 19th-century sash windows, though the majority of its fenestration dates from the late 20th century and comprises aluminium and timber windows.

Plan and Layout

The two structures comprise two attached parallel ranges, each of two storeys, with a two-storey wing of one bay at right angles to Higher Bush House. Associated outbuildings to the south-west follow an L-shaped plan.

Exterior Features

Higher Bush House presents its principal elevation to the south-west across four bays, with a mix of four- and single-light casement windows and a central entrance now fitted with 20th-century French doors. At right angles stands a short wing with a semi-basement, accessed by an external timber staircase leading to first-floor French doors. A single-storey addition, formerly a dairy, is attached to this wing. The east return of the main range retains a three-light mullioned window (recently uncovered) at ground-floor level. The north-west gable wall features a large canted bay window.

Bush House's garden (north-east) front comprises 3:1 bays and features a full-height canted window to the right-hand bay, which contains a six-panelled entrance door at ground floor and a bay window with glazing bars above. The north-west elevation has a projecting entrance porch constructed in ashlar, fitted with an early 19th-century door.

Interior

Higher Bush House retains three open hearths with large timber bressumers, pegged door cases, and chamfered ceiling beams with stepped stops. To the right of the easternmost fireplace are two short sections of decorative plaster frieze which appear to have been re-sited. The first-floor room in the south-west wing was refurbished in the early 19th century and retains Regency-style fittings including a fireplace, architraves, recessed shelves, window shutters, and a deep cornice. Openings at ground and first-floor levels that originally provided access between the two ranges were blocked when the house was divided; however, the connecting doors survive in Higher Bush House.

Bush House retains early 19th-century fittings including a staircase with stick balusters, door cases, panelled doors, and a fireplace with decorative timber surround in the principal first-floor room.

Outbuildings

The outbuildings, comprising a former coach house and stables, form two sides of a courtyard to the south-west of Higher Bush House. They are constructed of random rubble stone under pitched roofs of double Roman tiles. Some window openings have brick surrounds and appear to be early 19th-century insertions, including an oculus with decorative leaded lights in the north-east gable. A taking-in door is present in the north-west gable wall. The north-east range retains original stall partitions and feeding troughs.

Historical Development

The original part of the house (Higher Bush House) dates from the 17th century. During the early 19th century it was substantially enlarged by the addition of a parallel range to the north-east (Bush House), creating a large single residence. The original 17th-century section was largely downgraded to service rooms at this time. The building was subdivided into two separate dwellings in the mid-20th century.