Description

SP61NW AMBROSDEN MERTON ROAD (North side)

11/10 Kennet House and Dryden House 26/11/51 (Formerly listed as Vicarage)

GV II

Vicarage, now 2 houses. 1638 for Rev. John Stubbings, altered late C17 and enlarged 1838 for Rev. L. Dryden. Random and coursed squared limestone rubble with ashlar dressings; old plain-tile roofs with brick stacks. Complex plan. One storey plus attic and 2 storeys plus attic. 4-window front has the taller range projecting on the right and a small gabled 2-storey bay in the angle of the ranges; both have casements in moulded stone surrounds with labels. The lower 2-window range, in random rubble, was remodelled, probably in 1838, and has stone-mullioned and transomed windows with labels plus large stone-gabled dormers; a C19 stone porch has a 4-centre arched entrance. A double stack rising at the junction of the ranges retains diagonal shafts. The right side of the cross wing has original ovolo-moulded stone-mullioned windows to all floors including a 3-light transomed stair window, all with labels and leaded glazings and also has a canted chimney projection and a gable datestone inscribed "ISD/1638". The C19 range to rear, parallel with the main range, has similar mullioned windows and gables and is flush with the rear projection of the crosswing; it incorporates an ancient plank doorway, the 4-centred stone surround of which may be re-used. This range masks the original entrance front, 2 gables of which face the central valley. Interior: crosswing contains the original dogleg stair with moulded handrails, heavy turned column balusters and panelled newels with lantern finials; early C18 fielded panelling in drawing room plus a large moulded Tudor-arched stone fireplace with a moulded-brick reredos; shell alcove. Lower range has a plainer Tudor-arched fireplace and re-used mid C17 oak panelling; early C18 coffered ceiling (Dryden House); original 4-centred arched stone entrance with moulded surround, label and shields in the spandrels (Dryden House). C19 range (Dryden House) has a room with fine late C17 oak panelling from Merton Manorhouse, with elaborate mouldings and fluted Corinthian pilasters supporting carved consoles. The Reverend White Kennett, vicar (1685-1701) and antiquary, later became Bishop of Peterborough. (V.C.H.: Oxfordshire, Vol.V, p.16; Buildings of England: Oxfordshire, p.422).

Listing NGR: SP6032019382

External Links

• Wikidata Q26495958

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

• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House