Description

WEST STAFFORD SY 7289 STAFFORD HOUSE 8/207 ) 16/207 ) Stafford House, including 26.1.56 attached garden walls on north and east

GV I

Country house, the former manor house of vanished village of Frome Billet. Original wing C16, enlarged in 1633 to form E-plan. Enlarged with parallel range and entrance moved from east front to west, c1848, architect Benjamin Ferrey. Rough ashlar stone walls, stone slate roofs with moulded coped gables and kneelers. Ashlar stacks with moulded caps, some rising from gable tops. 2 storeys and attics. East front has projecting gabled wings each end. Chamfered plinth, and string course at first floor level. The left gable, part of the C16 block, has 2 C2U stone mullioned windows on ground floor. First floor and attic each have 2 single light windows with arched lights and cast iron glazing, under hoodmoulds. Right gable has on ground floor, a 3-light stone mullioned window with arched lights and cast iron glazing - hoodmould incorporated in string course. Similar 3-light window on first floor, and 2-light in attic. At right end an externally projecting stack. In centre of range, a 2-storeyed gabled porch. Moulded round arched doorway with keystone, and imposts with moulded caps. Date 1633 on keystone. Inner doorway with depressed 4-centred arch and part glazed 'Gothick' door. Each side of porch, 2 similar 3-light windows on each floor. In attic, on each side, a similar 2-light window in gabled dormer. West (entrance) front, c1845, in similar style, has shallow projecting gabled wings each end. In centre, ground floor has 4 round arches - the centre 2 open, the outer 2 blocked, with shell headed niches. Moulded panelled entrance door in centre section. On first floor, two 4-light windows as in original front. Coat of Arms between these. In left gable a 2-storeyed bay window, with similar mullioned windows on each floor. In right gable, no bay, but similar windows, 4-light on ground floor, 3-light on first floor. At right end, set back, the gable end of the C16 block, with similar windows on each floor. At left end of main range an attached garden wall of rubble stone, with arched opening. At its left end this extends forward, with square angle and terminal piers with moulded caps and ball finials. At the rear, at left end, an attached garden wall with 4-centred arched opening. Internally, the C16 block has a stone spiral stair, with 'Gothick' style wrought iron balustrade at first floor. Deep chamfered ceiling beams in kitchen. Blocked 4-centred arched fireplace on first floor. In C17 range, entrance hall and adjoining room (the original hall) have cornices and other details in 'Gothick' style, late C18 or early C19. In C19 range in entrance hall, closed string stair, and doorcases in Jacobean style. Intersecting ceiling beams with jewel ornament and pendants. Jacobean style book cases in library. Interesting C19 adaptation of an earlier single pile house. (RCHM Monument 5. Dorset Vol II. Hutchins. History of Dorset II 514 Country Life, March 1962)

Listing NGR: SY7243790017

External Links

• Wikidata Q17533169

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