Description

WESTWELL
SP20NW Manor House
3/315 (previously listed as
12.9.55 Westwel1 Manor)

GV II*

Manor house. C16 with C17 and C18 extensions and C19 and C20
restorations. Mostly coursed rubble, some dressed rubble; Cotswold stone
roofs; ashlar chimneys with cornices. Miniature Versailles plan
developing from the central L-plan kernel (after 1544 probably for Robert
Taylor) which had become U plan by mid-cl7 with framing wings at right
angles for Charles Trinder before 1657; further wings forming the formal
shape including the barn (q.v.) and N.W. boundary wall (q.v.) added in
C18; the central part of the north front was filled to give a rectangular
main block, probably in the C19. 2 storeys and attics. 3 bays to main
block 2-bay wings and flanking ranges; return wings less regular
fenestration. Mullion windows, some with hollow chamfer; C18 glazing-bar
sashes to NE wing in raised flat surrounds. North front has central gable
and flanking hipped roofs behind parapets - the difference between these,
and also between the plinths below are an indication of the complexity of
the house. The north east wing has chamfered quoins, a band over ground
floor and paired ground floor windows; cellar window to north gable; the
west wall might be a recladding of an earlier one. Rear has central attic
gable, transomed ground floor windows and altered central entry. Interior
much altered. Fireplaces: in hall a stone segmental pediment overmantel
and eared architrave; the N.E. wing, ground floor, has a splendid wide
fireplace up to the cornice, the overmantel has herm grotesques, dentil
cornice, swagged garland with crude mask on circular tablet, egg and dart
sub-cornice Over a panel possibly for a looking glass; in 1st floor S.W.
room a C16 fireplace with overmantel with grotesques and strapwork
supported on tapering Ionic piers. The interior has been remodelled to
include a number of features from Ionic columns to Victorian panelling not
necessarily in the correct positions and some imports have been
incorporated. The back staircase on the east side of the main block with
newel and a few splat balusters retained probably dates from C17. The
principal restoration of c.1912 was for Sir Roger Sothern Holland. An
interesting complex, beautifully set out and transformed by Sir Roger.
NMR
AST Fisher The History of Westwell, Oxfordshire (1972)

Listing NGR: SP2236109878

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17533156

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

• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  For the Record
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)