Description

SP9436-9536 ASPLEY GUISE BEDFORD ROAD
5/3 Aspley House
22.10.52
GV II*
Small country house. Circa 1690 for William Norcliffe, on site of earlier
structure, reworked before 1749 for alter Scott. 1902 additions by R
Blomfield replaced by smaller later C20 ones. Red brick, with chequered
patterning in flared headers. Hipped clay tile roof. Double-pile plan of 2
storeys and attics, with 2 storeys and attics coach house block adjoining to
S, set on lower level. Main block E elevation: 2:3:2 sash windows, flush to
wall, with heavy glazing bars and under guaged brick flat arches. Central bay
projects slightly and is pedimented, tympanum containing oculus with radiating
glazing bars. Central doorway, brought forward late C19 to form fron of brick
porch. Ornate consoles with carved heads support modillion cornice and open
pediment. Part-glazed double doors. Attic has 2 segmental-headed dormers
containing sashes. Brick band at first floor level. Deep modillion cornice to
eaves and pediment. Red brick chimney stacks to side ridges. Main block W
elevation refronted pre 1749. 3 bays, central one projecting-slightly.
Outer bays each have 3 flush sashes with glazing bars under gauged brick
heads. Central bay contains staircase. Segmental-arched doorway with stone
surround, partly set below ground level. Above this are 2 superimposed
Venetian windows with wood keyblocks. Upper window rises into broken pediment
at attic level. Pediment is open, with chimney stack rising through centre.
Attic has 2 segmental-headed dormers containing sashes with glazing bars.
Flanking central bay are 2 doorways with heavy Roman Doric pilastered
surrounds and part-glazed doors. Deep modillion cornice to eaves and
pediment. Coach house block E Elevation: probably mid to late C18. Vitrified
brick in header bond, dressings in red brick. Hipped clay tile roof.
Symmetrical facade. First floor has 5 sashes with glazing bars. Attic has 5
hipped dormers containing sashes. Ground floor has C20 central part-glazed
door in pilastered surround. This is flanked by C20 double-width carriage
arches, their pilastered surrounds similar to doorway. Roof has small
octagonal lantern to centre. House interior: dogleg staircase with paired
twisted balusters. Panelling to some ground floor rooms, mostly C18 but also
including reset Jacobean strapwork frieze to hall. C18 wood chimney piece.
The Woburn Sands and District Society: The Story of Aspley Guise, 1980,
pp.13-14; "Aspley House, Bedfordshire: A Lesser Country House of the XVIIIth
century", Country Life, March 29th 1913, pp 7-11; Beds Record Office: CRT 130
Aspley 3, "Aspley House at Aspley Guise", notes compiled by C.J. Pickford
1985.
(of Church Street, Aspley Guise, for garden wall and gateway belonging to
Aspley House).

Listing NGR: SP9436836094

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Aspley House at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17550999

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

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  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
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  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  For the Record
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  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)