Description

CHAFILSURY
Lee Place
SP 3519
5/2
27.8.56
GV II*

Small country house. Probably c.1640 extensively remodelled 1720s
possibly by James Gibbs and with minor later additions and
alterations. Coursed squared limestone rubble with ashlar
dressings and chimneys; stone slate roof. Irregular L-plan with
C17 house in centre of main (south-west) front and contemporary
range extending to rear; pavilions added to north-west and south-
east in early C18. Maint front: Symmetrical composition
comprising C17 block of 2 storeys and attic and 5-window range,
the 3 central bays defined by C18 pilasters under pediment; the
whole flanked by single storey pavilions each with a hipped roof.
Central part-glazed door has triangular pediment on Ionic half-
columns. Glazing bar sashes in moulded stone architraves on
ground and first floor. Pediment over three central bays has
Diocletian window with glazing bars. Hipped dormers to right and
left have casements with glazing bars. Gable end stacks, triple-
shafted to right; twin-shafted to left. Flanking pavilions each
have a Venetian window with glazing bar sashes and one glazing bar
sash window in moulded architrave in the canted end bays set back
to right and left. Sill band defines plinth; simple moulded
cornice under parapet with 5 ball finials on each pavilion. Lead
rainwater goods. Tall rear C17 range to left has single, double
and triple-shafted ashlar stacks; scattered fenestration includes
2 cross casements with leaded lights and 2 sashes with thick
glazing bars on ground and first floors. Irregular rear elevation
has large and small pane sashes. Projecting service wing dated
1848 has irregular fenestartion including dormers and half-dormers.
C20 range of three windows extends from left. Interior: now
entered through C20 porch to rear leading via entrance hall to the
suite of principal rooms along the main (garden) front. Entrance
Hall: Full-height raised and fielded panelling; 6-panelled doors
with moulded architraves; fireplace with lugged architrave under a
painting of a Dutch river-scene fitted to the chimney-piece.
Garden Room: formed early C18 within C17 house probably
functioning originally as an entrance hall. Marble floor; richly
moulded plasterwork over cross-beamed ceiling. Doors and window
shutters have raised and fielded panels; dado panelling a later
addition. Fine early C18 fireplace with hunting scenes. Dining
Room: fine Rococo plaster ceiling c.1740-50; simulated double-
leaf doors in moulded architraves; window shutters have egg and
dart decoration. Adam-style fireplace with relief of 9 muses
introduced C20. Sitting Room: moulded plaster over cross-beamed
ceiling. 6-panelled door with deep panelled reveals, panelled
window shutters; marble fireplace with luggled architrave.
Drawing Room: now entered from Sitting Room, has elaborate chimney
piece framing a landscape painting with scrolled pediment and
doorcases with moulded architraves and pediments on consoles;
plain ceiling with modillioned cornice. Early C18 doorleg staircase
with bulbous turned balusters and pulvinated string leads from
rear stair hall to first floor. Bedrooms hav C18 fireplaces, some
with C19 grates,and retain original fittings including doors and
some panelling. Ground floor of C17 rear wing has Tudor arched
fireplace with plain spandrels.

Buildings of England (Oxfordshire), p. 528. The Antique Collector
(June 1963), 93-101.

Listing NGR: SP3582419108

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17532982

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

• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2