Description

SOTTERLEY SOTTERLEY PARK
TM 4585
7/48 Sotterley Hall
1.9.53

GV I

Manor house. Circa 1745 for Miles Barne; later alterations, notably of c.1840
and 1911. Red brick, originally stuccoed, with chamfered rustication to the
quoins and a continuous enriched wooden modillion eaves cornice and a
balustraded parapet. Roof of glazed black pantiles. H-shape plan with
shallow projecting wings at the front and back. 2 storeys with attics. The
main facade has 9 windows, 2:1:3:1:2, the centre 3 bays set slightly forward
and pedimented, with the Barne family arms in the tympanum. The section of
wall between the wings was brought forward slightly in 1911 but rebuilt as
before. Inset sash windows with slender glazing bars, stone architraves; the
ground floor windows to the wings have been lengthened. The central first
floor window has a segmental pediment and the 2 adjacent windows have
triangular pediments. The entrance, together with curved scone balustrade
with flight of 6 steps, was added c.1840. 6-panel raised and fielded door,
semi-circular fanlight with radiating glazing bars, panelled reveals and
delicately-carved architrave. The doorcase has a stone surround with engaged
Corinthian columns carrying an enriched entablature and pediment. The return
fronts are arranged 1:3:1, the centre 3 bays set forward and pedimented; there
are small pedimented dormer windows. The left hand return front has a central
Venetian doorway in the fluted Roman Doric order, with heavy pediment; the
doorway is approached by a flight of 6 stone steps. Immediately above is a
fine Venetian window in the fluted Ionic order, supported on 4 heavy consoles.
There is a Diocletian window in the tympanum. 4 blank panels to ground floor;
the first floor windows have heavier glazing bars and may be original. The
right hand return front has ground floor windows extending to ground level,
the centre window with a pediment supported on Ionic pilasters; these windows
were altered in mid or late C19. The central first floor windows are
pedimented as in the main facade and there is a square window in the tympanum.
The rear elevation is similar in form to the main facade: pedimented stone
doorcase on engaged Ionic columns, with rusticated inner surround; pedimented
central first floor windows and an oculus in the tympanum above. The inner
returns of the flanking wings have a single semi-circular headed blank panel
on each floor. Interior. In the entrance hall is a richly-carved early C17
oak overmantel, said to come from the previous house on this site. The dining
room behind has enriched plaster panelling and a carved fluted Corinthian
surround to the external doorway. This room has a very fine fireplace, of
wood-grained plaster, with flanking consoles terminating in outward-facing
female busts, and a central tablet with head of Aurora against a rayed
background. The library is also fully-panelled, with a rich cornice and a
marble fireplace with scrolled pediment. A passage in the left hand wing has
part of a plaster ceiling with stylised arabesque ornament; in the adjacent
room is a good fireplace with a central head of Bacchus. The main staircase
has one twisted and one fluted baluster to each tread, carved tread-ends, and
a ramped and weathered handrail. A secondary stair extending to attic level
has closely-spaced turned balusters. There are many carved doorcases and
doors, the Corinthian doorcase at the top of the main stair being particularly
good. 2 first floor rooms have fireplaces with Rococo decoration and marble
linings.

Listing NGR: TM4590385204

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17527368

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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