Description

BERE FERRERS
SX 46 NW
2/16 Ward House (Chelfham Senior
School)

- II

Small country house now used as a school. Circa 2nd quarter of C18, altered in C19
and C20. Rendered walls. Hipped asbestos slate roof, gabled over front pediment.
2 symmetrical central axial rendered brick stacks.
Piano-nobile with the principal rooms over the service rooms in the basement.
Double depth plan with central entrance hall leading to stairhall at rear and 2
rooms either side. Left-hand front room was originally divided from hall by an open
screen, which has been replaced by a solid partition. In C19 the bay windows were
added to the principal rooms. Circa early C20 rear addition.
2 storeys, attic and basement. Symmetrical 3 window front with central door
approached by steps from either side which have original decorative iron
balustrades. Modillion cornice below eaves extends into central pediment. 1st
floor central window is circa early C19 12 pane hornless sash. Outer 2 windows are
tall C20 2 light casements with glazing bars set behind low iron railing. On
principal floor to left and right is circa mid C19 inserted bay window with C20
replacement sashes. Original doorcase at centre has fluted pilasters with
entablature with triglyphs to frieze and medallions to pediment; panelled reveals;
possibly original part glazed door, panelled at the bottom. Left and right-hand
returns have 2 similar bay windows on the principal floor, that to the right on the
right-hand side has mid C19 12-pane sashes. C20 extension at rear.
Interior: Principal rooms retain many of their original features. Entrance hall has
modillion cornice. 6 panelled doors in architraves with projecting cornices. The
left-hand partition of the entrance hall has been inserted below the cornice re-
using 2 doors; left-hand front room has 2 Doric columns adjoining this partition to
hall which originally formed open screen which retains a fluted pilaster at either
end. Original chimneypiece has shouldered architrave and ornate moulded cornice-and
overmantle with rectangular panel which has shouldered corners and scrolled pediment
above. Each of the bay windows has fluted pilaster at either side and Tudor arch
above, with C19 panelled shutters.
Right-hand front room was probably the principal room with fielded panelling and
elaborate chimney piece. This has ornate shouldered architrave which has frieze in
high relief of running vine with central basket of flowers. Moulded projecting
cornice above. Ornamental overmantle has square panel flanked by pilasters with
applied frailing flowers. Elaborate frieze of alternate triglyphs and flowers with
modillion cornice above. Rear left-hand room has simpler chimneypiece with
shouldered architrave. Fielded panel shutters, probably original. Contemporary open
well staircase with cut string and curtail step. Column newels with alternate
column on vase, fluted, and barley-twist balusters, a few have been replace.
Despite alterations this house exhibits some high quality internal features and the
plan of the principal rooms remain relatively unaltered.

Listing NGR: SX4280468410

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26399428

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

• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)