Description

SX 98 NE WOODBURY EBFORD

1/96 Ebford Manor
11.11.52
- II*

Substantial detached house. Built in 1710 for Robert Venn of Woodbury, clothier,
with mid C19 and early C20 extensions. Local red brick, in Flemish bond with burnt
headers. Steeply hipped slate roof. Rear central staircase plan; double depth
with rear wing extended in the mid C19; the principal rooms on the ground and the
1st floors occupy the entire depth of the house. Single storey front wing
(originally an organ chamber) of circa 1909. External end stacks. 3 storeys.
Front: symmetrical, 1:3:1 bays, the middle bays projecting under a pediment
containing a shield; moulded cornice, parapet, rusticated quoining to all angles.
Central portico, Greek Doric columns, entablature, the frieze with triglyphs;
doorway with panelled reveals and soffit. All windows are hornless sashes, 12
panes to all except 2nd floor which have 3 panes up, 6 down. Single-storey wing
projecting left with sash and French windows; the front angles cut away in a
concave section.
Right-hand elevation: central external stack, the parapet ramped to either side and
panelled to shaft; shield and sundial to 2nd floor; the flues are taken up to
either side of a central window to ground and 1st floor (see interior); the false
12 pane sash survives to 1st floor, but has been replaced at ground floor level;
fenestration otherwise as front.
Left-hand elevation: sash windows to either side of external stack, those towards
the front blocked.
Rear: irregular fenestration; mostly 12 pane hornless sash windows, some under
depressed window arches.
Interior: principal ground floor room with a complete (and intact) contemporary
trompe l'oeil panelling scheme in soft duck egg green; elaborate grey marble
chimney piece, with cornice and triglyphs; centre and flanking mirrors, the central
mirror acting as a concealed casement window. Opposite this room (to the left of
the vestibule) is a reception hall entered through a wide 4-centred arch, now
partially filled. Staircase, replaced circa 1840, open-well, wreathed rail and
bobbin balusters. Main lst floor room with a later (i.e. C19) and less
accomplished trompe l'oeil scheme; marble fire surround, with gilt wooden
chimneypiece, fluted half columns and pediment, and plaster of Paris necking and
bases; mirror opens out as a casement window. Internal panelled shutters to most
rooms. Some smaller contemporary fireplaces. Organ chamber with cardboard
pokerwork cornice.
Historical note: the rear wing is attached to the old farmhouse (Haydon's
Farmhouse, q.v.) in which the Venn family lived whilst Elbford Manor was being
constructed.
Reference: Ursula W Brighouse, Woodbury, A View from the Beacon, (1981) pp.98, 241,
247

Listing NGR: SX9814987713

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17546929

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

• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)