Description

GREAT MARLOW HARLEYFORD
SU 88 SW
8/28 Harleyford Manor
29.9.50
- I
Villa. Dated WCM 1755 on rainwater heads. Undergoing thorough
structural overhaul and restoration 1985. By Sir Robert Taylor for Sir
William Clayton. Red brick with stone band courses. Modillion cornice
to be replaced in fibreglass. Brick parapet with stone coping and ball
finials, not all in situ 1985. Hipped slate roof, brick chimneys.
Compact double pile plan with full-height projecting bays, that to S. semi-
elliptical, that to E. canted, the N. rectangular and pedimented. Basement,
lower ground floor, piano nobile, bedroom floor and attic. W. front of 4 bays;
other fronts with single bays flanking 3-bay projections. Window openings with
gauged heads, formerly with sash windows, due to have replacement sashes with
octagonal glazing as in original design. Flat-roofed attic dormers. Lower
ground floor has central entrances to N. and S., with vermiculated bonded
stone surrounds. N. front also has upper ground floor entry approached
by double return flights of stone steps with wrought iron railings. Upper
ground floor takes form of 3-bay arcaded loggia with stone impost band and
gauged brick arches. Central arch has double half-glazed doors and
ornamental iron fanlight; flanking arches have C19 glazing and stone
balustrades. Bullseye window in pediment. Canted bay on E. front raised
C19, with stone balustraded parapet. S. front has full-height openings to
upper ground floor of projecting bay, with simple wrought iron railings to
balcony. Interior: entrance loggia with groin vaults on scroll brackets,
plaster foliage bosses, and plaster lunettes with low reliefs of
mythological figures. 3-bay inner vestibule with central dome and octagonal
coffing to barrel vaults and terminal apses. Smaller vestibule of 3
domed bays with arched niches at entrance to former dining room. C19
staircase to lower ground floor, with reeded metal balusters. Main staircase
with Chinese-style wooden lattice balustrades, shaped tread ends and
soffit, and later Greek fret string. Panelled vault over stairs with
elaborate Rococo scrolls linking ribs to cornice. Arcaded upper landing
with groin vaults. Doors have octagonal wooden panels, most to be replaced,
and entrance doors have reveals with similar flush panels. C19 painted
inscriptions. Library retains sequence of large and small arched recesses,
plaster dado, string and cornice, and altered fireplace with Rococo plaster
overmantel. Other interior decoration removed 1955 for restoration,
including elaborate plaster drops formerly in Drawing room on S. front.
These drops illustrate themes of music, painting, hunting and gardening. It
may be necessary to replace the originals with copies from moulds.
(Country Life 1910 June 4th p. 810-819 )
1967 July 6th p. 17-21 )

Listing NGR: SU8267684492

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Harleyford Manor at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17524738

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.

Recommended Books

• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The Shredded Chef: 120 Recipes for Building Muscle, Getting Lean, and Staying Healthy