Description

SU 75 NW HARTLEY WINTNEY WEST GREEN

4/112 West Green House 8.7.52

- II*

Early C18, late C18. Almost square mansion of 2 storeys with attic (and cellar), planned round a central top-lit staircase. The west elevation seems to be an original facade of symmetrical form, with 3 dormers, 5 ground floor windows, the 1st floor being marked by 5 roundel recesses containing busts (said to be of Bacchus and 4 Roman emperors), the blank upper wall concealing the full height saloon behind 2/5th of this front. Hipped red tile roof, dormers with gables having full cornice moulding and retaining old casements. Modillion cornice, surmounted at each end by a (late C18) stone vase. Red brickwork in Flemish bond, rubbed flat arches, stone cills, plinth. Sashes. The central French door has a stone frame, of quoins. At each end there extends a high brick wall, pierced by 4 arched openings framed in rusticated brickwork and each filled up to impost level by wrought-iron railings. The north elevation has original wings (of 1 bay), the slightly projecting central part (a later C18 alteration) of Gothick appearance, to include a ½-octagon. The upper fenestration is 1:2:1:2:1, the lower is roundel 2:3:2 roundel. Red tile, hipped roof, flat-roofed dormers modillion cornice above wings with vases at each end, the main part being a castellated parapet, with recessed panels, a 2nd floor band, 1st floor band, wide end pilasters, rubbed flat arches stone cills, plinth. Sashes in exposed frames and central French door, with stone quoins. The east front, may have been symmetrical of 5 bays, half still showing on the south side, but on the northern half modified as 1 window above 2 small round windows; the standard features are repeated (mainly a recent restoration). This original entrance front was blocked by an Edwardian unit of 1905, now removed. The south front has more alterations, including 2 2-storeyed bays, but the 3 gabled dormers seem to be original. Within the house contains most of its original appearance, partly due to thorough recent restoration. Features include walls panelled above and below a dado moulding, doorcases and panelled doors, fireplaces, folding internal shutters. More elaborate details remain in the saloon, with its tall coved ceiling and pedimented doorcases. The late C18 stone staircase has wrought-iron rails, the landing having arched openings arranged formally but not symmetry. Above the dining room fireplace is a C18 wind indicator (only recently discovered). Ref Country Life Vol LXXX. A National Trust property.

Listing NGR: SU7455456360

External Links

• West Green House at Wikipedia
• West Green House official website
• Wikidata Q7985252

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

• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6