Description

WARDINGTON THORPE ROAD
SP4846 (East side)
Upper Wardington
15/194 Wardington Manor
08/12/55

GV II*

Manor House. C16 and earlier origins. Remodelled in 1665. Datestone GC 1665 and
crest on the east front for George Chamberlayne. Initials GC repeated on lead
rainwater heads. Major alterations in c.1905-14 by Clough William Ellis who
added the kitchen and north-west wing in C17 style. Further alterations and
additions by G.H. Kitchin and Randall Wells for the first Lord Wardington in
c.1917-30 including: the library in the south-east wing by G.H. Kitchin,
finished by Randall Wells; the 2 oriels with ogee canopies and finials on the
east front wings. One by kitchin and one by Wells: the loggia beneath the west
end of the south front by Wells; the 2-storey gabled porch with Tuscan columns
and triglyph frieze by Kitchin; main entrance porch on the north-east by Randall
Wells. Stone plinth foundations of C15/C16 core of coursed ironstone. Elsewhere
ironstone ashlar. Steeply pitched red tile and stone slate roofs. Stone-coped
gables and moulded kneelers. Mostly paired stone ridge and end stacks on
chamfered stone bases. Original house recorded as L-plan, now an irregular
H-plan. 2 storeys plus attics. East elevation facing road. 1:2:1 bays with
central range flanked by 2 projecting wings. Central entrance has original oak
door with planks, boards and external rail covering the joins. Wood lintel.
Entrance is flanked by 5-light wood mullioned windows with wood lintels. First
floor has 2 similar 6-light windows with wood lintels. Stone parapet with
datestone and crest. 2 gabled dormers. Lead rainwater heads with initials G.C.
Wings have C20 oriels; 2-light mullioned and transomed windows with hood moulds
and label stops; blocked wood mullioned windows, sundial and wood mullioned and
transomed windows on returns. Interior. Remodelled, but retaining original
details including: the open well staircase of c.1600 in the south wing with
tapered balusters and newel posts with lantern finials; moulded wooden doorways
on the landing; timber roof in the south wing with arched wind-braces possibly
of C15 date; 2-panelled doors with H-hinges. Hall is noted as having an imported
C17 stone fireplace with 4-centred arched head, C17 and C20 panelling. The
Library formed by G.H. Kitchin and Randall Wells is noted (BOE) as the most
spectacular room in the house. Two floors were knocked into one. Open timber
roof in C14 style incorporating early timbers. At one end a C17 style staircase
and gallery copied from the original in the south wing. Former organ loft now
houses part of library. Gallery has a large strapwork crest of c.1600. Much of
the panelling in the library is of the same date with fluted pilasters dividing
the bookshelves and an overmantel with blind arcading which came from Theydon
Bois in Essex. Luscious (BOE) plasterwork decoration in the entrance hall, and
further palsterwork of simpler design in the stairwell and bedrooms by Mrs.
Randall Wells (Molly Cochrane). Decoration in the entrance hall includes a bold
chevron pattern with bands of flint and a frieze of serpents. In the window
reveals birds in coils of foliage, and on the ceiling Art Nouveau
interpretations of Jacobean designs With plaster ribs and pendants. The only
weakness (BOE) a thin relief on the wall of a crowned figure with a viol amongst
flowering trees and exotic birds. Seven rooms are noted as panelled ranging from
oak panelling of c.1600 to oak panelling designed by Mrs. Randall Wells in
c.1930 for the principal bedroom. George Chamberlayne paid Hearth Tax on 15
hearths in 1665. Wardington Manor was bought by George Loveday in 1874, who
gradually restored it. Further owners included the Shaw and Wallace families and
after 1917 J. W. Pease (the first Lord Wardington).
(Buildings of England: Oxfordshire: 1974, pp823-4; VCH: Oxfordshire: Vol X,
p215; Country Life, April 25, 1914; Wood-Jones, R.B.: 1963, p249)

Listing NGR: SP4934146062

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wardington Manor at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17548211

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

• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6