Description

BERKHAMSTED BERKHAMSTED HILL

The Mansion
TL 00 NW
8/10000 II

Large house. 1906-8 by George Hubbard (built by H and J Matthews,
Berkhamsted builders), for Sir John Evans, archaeologist. English bond
purple brick with red brick dressings. Hipped tile roof with large
wooden modillion eaves cornice. Brick axial stacks with moulded brick
cornices. Plan: Double depth central block with central entrance and
stair hall; long flanking wingsdesigned to give appearance of separate
building phases. Queen Anne Style. Exterior: 2 storeys and attic.
1:4:2 central block, the centre 4 bays break forward with large
pediment, its centre 2 bays break forward again, with rusticated brick
pilasters string and central doorway with Tuscan columns and consoles
supporting open segmental pediment over shell. The flanking wings, 2
bays to right project and 4 bays to left, set back, have giant brick
pilasters, panelled on ground floor and moulded string; further 2-bay
wing set back again on left with pedimental (east) gable end of 3
windows over wide pilastered doorway. At rear (south) garden front:
3-bay centre block with 2-storey canted bays, central doorway and
pedimented attic flanked by segmental pedimented dormers; 4:2 bay wing
recessed on right and 3-bay wing set back on left with sundial dated
1649. Mostly original 12-pane sashes in exposed casing and flat roof
dormers with sashes. Interior: Heavy moulded string staircase with
twisted balusters. West end room (dining) has reused panelling with
carved Jacobean overmantel and stone fireplace; and with good late C16
early C17 style moulded plaster ceiling. Room to west of front
entrance has panelling and-carved overmantel (possibly reused) and
moulded plaster ceiling. Library on first floor at east end has good
kite pattern moulded plaster ceiling and fine reused Jacobean carved
overmantel and stone fireplace. Note: originally known as Britwell.
Sources: A S Gray, Edwardian Architecture, p218.
DNB Builder 29 July 1905.

Listing NGR: TL0037408728

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26347020

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

• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)