Aberhafesp Hall

Aberhafesp Hall

This house is formed of three ranges creating a roughly square plan, measuring five bays east-west and six bays north-south. The roof is U-shaped, reflecting the original double-pile plan of the east and west ranges and the later south range, though it appears hipped. The building has two storeys with an attic and cellar.

The house is constructed of red brickwork in English bond on a masonry plinth approximately one metre high, with slate roofs featuring overhanging boarded eaves. The bricks are exceptionally small, though heavily repointed. There are two red brick axial stacks on each of the east and west ranges, and a fifth external gable stack at the north end of the west range.

The original late 17th-century detail is clearest at the north end of the house, where the double-pile plan-form is revealed. At first floor level, the original windows are square with chamfered brick surrounds and divided by a chamfered brick mullion. Three windows of this type are blocked with brickwork, and a fourth has been altered with a timber lintel and transom to contain iron casement windows. A continuous hoodmould in chamfered brickwork links the windows. A similar hoodmould crosses much of the east elevation at ground and first floor levels, and in places on the west elevation.

The south elevation was remodelled in the Georgian period, probably to form a garden front. The windows here are wide 12-pane horned sashes with stone sills and flat arched heads with gauged brickwork. Part of a brick sill band is visible, perhaps an attempt to match the original continuous brick mouldings. The middle ground floor window has been converted to French windows approached by concrete steps, while the window to its left is also a door approached by stone steps. On the east elevation, the southernmost two windows on each storey are blocked, but probably contained sashes. At the north end is a bay window with hipped roof, perhaps late 19th-century. The west elevation has two lean-tos and a bay window beyond, all probably late 19th-century, perhaps representing improvements made by the Proctors. Elsewhere most of the windows have been replaced and range in date from the 1930s to the 1990s. Modern attic dormers and rooflights are present, though these may replace earlier dormers. The lower storey of the north elevation has been rendered. A single-storey range, probably late 19th-century but with later openings, links the house to its former coach-house.

As the house has been divided into four flats, the original plan is obscure. However, the house contains exceptional features and detail, including a wooden staircase located in the east range which rises from ground floor to attic. It has a square stairwell with three flights of stairs to each landing, open fretwork balustrades, heavy square newel posts with relief decoration, and a wide moulded handrail. Other detail in the area of the staircase includes moulded wooden coving with fleur de lis decoration, wood panelling, and a door at the base of the staircase decorated with ornate arcades in relief. There is said to be a 17th-century panelled room towards the northwest of the house. The Georgian south front has oak panelled reveals to the windows and oak panelled doors. A later 19th-century addition on the west side has an oak panelled interior, and the southwest room has heavily moulded wooden ceiling beams. Two stained glass windows on the east side, probably late 19th-century. Extensive cellars include an original wine cellar, with other areas said to have contained meat, salt, and a former staircase.