Description

WHITCHURCH URBAN C.P. DODINGTON (north-east
SJ 5441
side)
8/71 No. 28 (Ellesmere House)
1.5.51
GV II

House. Probably early C18 but possibly late C17. Timber framed on high
brick plinth, with painted brick nogging to rear and rendered to front.
Red brick end walls. Plain tile roof. 3 framed bays, central staircase
plan. 2 storeys and gable-lit attic. Framing: light rectangular panels,
probably 3 from sole plate to wall plate. Parapeted gable ends with moulded
stone copings and shaped stone kneelers. External brick end stacks, that to
left larger. 5 bays; wooden cross windows. Central door with 6 raised
and fielded panels (upper 2 glazed), moulded architrave and carved console
brackets supporting gabled porch. 6 stone steps up to door with plain
wrought-iron railings. Small attic window in right-hand gable end. Rear:
late C18 one-storey brick lean-to to left with dentil brick eaves cornice,
slate roof and pair of boxed glazing bar sashes. Mid-to late C19 two-storey
brick wing to right. Interior: timber framed cross walls with tension
braces. Mainly early C18 fixtures and fittings. Flagged entrance hall
with painted raised and fielded dado panelling and moulded plaster cornice.
Dog-leg oak staircase rising to attic, with half landings, closed string,
post-1720 type column-on-vase balusters, moulded handrail and panelled
square newel posts with double-quirked beaded corners and moulded caps.
Raised and fielded dado panelling with moulded rail. Attic landing
balustrade on 2 sides with vase-shaped splat balusters. Ground-floor doors
with 4 raised and fielded panels and moulded architraves. Left-hand ground-
floor room with chamfered ceiling beam and large open fireplace with chamfered
wooden lintel. Right-hand ground-floor room has painted raised and fielded
dado panelling with rail, moulded plaster cornice and cased beam, panelled
window shutters, and segmental-headed corner buffet with shelves,and doors
below with raised and fielded panels. Attic with old nail-studded plank
and muntin doors and evidence of former dormers to front. (See c.1830
illustration). An old print (c.1830) shows this house with exposed timber
framing to the front. This was probably a later alteration and the house
was probably always intended to be rendered. It is an interesting example
of a late use of timber framing, here incorporated with brick gable ends, in
a house which in all other respects is typical of its date. It is possible
that the house dates from the late C17 and was altered internally in the
early C18, as some of the details, like the staircase with closed string,
etc., do appear to be nearer c.1700 than c.1720, but this might be another
example of the survival of old forms. No. 28, Bark Hill (q.v.) is another
example of late timber framing and both buildings may be the work of the same
builder. Whitchurch Area Archaeological Group, Whitchurch Remembered, ill. 51.

Listing NGR: SJ5433041255

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26307599

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

• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)