Brettingham Court

Brettingham Court is a group of 19 houses, originally the kitchen courtyard of Hinton House (listed separately). It dates from the 18th century, and was initially a remodelling of earlier buildings by Matthew Brettingham. Around 1797, Sir John Soane reshaped the courtyard with the intention of converting it into a stableyard, though the interiors were substantially altered in the late 20th century. The exterior is built of ham stone ashlar, with concrete slate roofs hidden behind parapets, and some stone chimney stacks.

The structure comprises a quadrangle with an entrance on the north side. The south elevation’s appearance mirrors Wyatt's Court, featuring “cobbled” ashlar to the ground floor and end bays, along with battlemented parapets. This elevation has ten bays of sash windows – 12-pane sashes to the outer bays and ground floor, while the upper bays have 6-pane sashes, all with plain surrounds. The windows in the “cobbled” areas have plain ashlar architraves. A three-bay section, set back, matches the c.1630 south elevation of the main house. The east elevation has been largely rebuilt, except for the four southern bays – the first of which matches the south elevation and incorporates a semi-circular arched niche to the ground floor, with an open pediment supported by console brackets. The north elevation is simpler, primarily featuring 16-pane sash windows on both levels, including a large semi-circular through archway with a raised surround and impost blocks.

Inside, three sides have nine-bay elevations, while the east side has eleven. Architectural details include a plinth, band course, low plain parapet, and semi-circular arched arcading in each bay (except on the east side, which has seven arches). These archways are now blocked with doors and casement windows, with 16-pane sash windows to the first floor all around. A small projection exists in the southwest corner. The rainwater stackheads display the Poulett arms with various dates, including 1792, 1910, 1809, 1795, 1813, 1793, and 1805, though these may not signify significant alterations beyond a 1910 restoration. Interiors appear to have been completely remodelled.