Description

MELLS
ST 7248 TOP LANE
11/82 (SOUTH SIDE)
PROSPECT HOUSE

II

House, formerly a farmhouse. Circa 1500 altered and extended in early C17 and early
C18. C19 and C20 alterations. Rubble partly rendered at rear, some dressed stone
details. Thatched roof, with decorative ridge, hipped except for gable above lean-
to at west end. Four stone stacks including a central ridge stack and a gable end
stack. Two storeys and a single storey lean-to added against west gable wall. Late
mediaeval hall house remodelled in C17 with inserted floor in hall and a cross wing
replacing original west bay projecting on north side (front). In early C18 a second
wing added into the angle of main range and the cross wing. Doorway to cross passage
to right of the second wing under a C20 single storey lean-to porch. A C20 two
light casement to right of porch and an early C19 three light casement to first
floor above, both in earlier openings with timber lintols. A 3-light C19 casement
in end of lean-to to right. Early C18 wing has two early C19 sashes on ground floor
flanking a former central doorway which retains early C20 door but lower part
blocked in rubble externally. The upper part has two leadlight glazed arts and
crafts panels and functions as a window. Two early C19 sashes in earlier openings
with timber lintols on first floor. All early C19 sashes have glazing bars. A
blocked loft doorway in the end of the cross wing wall to left. The garden (south)
front has doorway to cross passage with C20 door under a late C20 single storey
porch with stone slate roof. To right of porch two early C17 stone framed and
mullioned casements with ovolo moulds on both floors: a 4-light window to right of
porch and 3-lights to others. A similar 3-light window to left of porch on first
floor: all have eased drip moulds and metal framed lights. A C20 window to left of
porch and to end of lean-to.
Interior: In the hall early C17 stone framed inglenook fireplace, with moulded
jambs and shallow arch, has a restored moulded cornice supported on restored slender
colonnettes on bases and with projecting moulded caps. Doorway in masonry wall
between hall and cross wing has door of early C17 panelling with wrought iron strap
hinges. Cross beamed ceiling in hall incorporates re-used moulded beams of C.1500
tied into an early C17 bridging beam with ovolo moulding. Newel post and lowest
step of spiral stair survive, but stair altered as a straight flight from cross
passage. On first floor part of a raised cruck over line of the cross passage wall
with cranked collar cut for doorhead. Diagonally set ridge pole and saddle piece.
Some smoke blackened rafters.

Listing NGR: ST7275148861

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26545071

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

• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)