Description

MORETONHAMPSTEAD CROSS STREET (south side),
SX 7586
Moretonhampstead
8/116 No. 32, Mearsdon Manor
-
23.8.55
GV II*

House, now in use as tea room and shop with private accommodation on first floor
and at rear. Probably late C15 or early C16, altered later in C16 and early C17,
remodelled in circa mid C19 and extended circa early C20.
Roughcast granite rubble. Gable-ended roof with interlocking clay tiles, crested
ridge tiles and projecting eaves. Axial ridge stacks; left-hand former higher end
stack has rendered brick shaft; right-hand lower room stack, granite with tapered
cap. Large granite ashlar lateral hall stack projecting to right of centre with
chamfered plinth, moulded cornice and tapered shaft.
3-room-and-through-passage plan, originally open to the roof over the hall and
higher end, which were divided by low screens. It was probably open to the roof at
lower end also but as there is only one surviving original truss, which is over the
higher end of the hall, the development of the lower is conjectural. The inner
room was floored later in C16 creating a first floor chamber and it seems likely
that the lower end was floored at the same time. The next phase was the flooring
of the hall, probably in early C17 when the front lateral hall stack was built and
possibly the lower room stack with an oven was also inserted at this time in the
unusual position at the higher end of the lower room backing onto the passage. The
stack at the higher end was probably built when the chamber over the inner room was
created. Later in the C17 the house was extended at the higher end where in C19 a
carriageway was put through. In circa mid C19 the front was entirely
refenestrated. In circa early C20 an extension containing a staircase at the back
of the lower end and a large rear extension were built.
2 storeys. Long, asymmetrical 6-window range. C19 12-pane sashes without horns
except for first floor left which has horns. Ground floor right 12-pane fixed-
light window. Extension to left has 2-light casement at mid floor level and
carriageway through with timber door-frame and concealed lintel. C19 panelled and
glazed door to left of centre with canopy on shaped brackets. Over the central
former hall window there is a granite hoodmould. To the right of the lateral hall
stack the passage doorway with massive timber doorframe with carpenter's mitres and
hollow and ovolo moulding, base of one jamb replaced and the other is very worn.
Old nail-studded plank door, cross-planked on inner side and with wrought iron
hinges.
The early C20 rear extension is an almost detached 2-storey building of granite
rubble.
Roof: only one original truss survives and this is only visible above collar level.
It seems to be situated over the higher end of the hall. The apex and collar are
morticed. There are holes for a threaded ridge-piece and for the purlins. The
truss is smoke-blackened on both sides and on the lower west side there is smoke-
blackened plaster. Apart from this truss and a later clean truss with trenched
purlins over the extension at the higher end, the roof has been entirely replaced
at higher level with soft wood king-post trusses.
Interior: plank and muntin screen between hall and passage with chamfered muntins
on hall side with pyramid stops; ovolo moulded muntins and rail with carpenter's
mitres on passage side with worn oval-shaped stops; the head beam is moulded on the
passage side with ovolo and hollow mouldings, and square section on hall side;
widened doorway opening to hall. Screen between inner room and hall replaced or
covered with early C17 panelling with projecting frieze below the head beam which
possibly conceals on internal jetty; the old sole plate survives at base of the
screen. The head beam and main cross beam are deeply chamfered with hollow step
stops. There is another cross-beam, roughly chamfered and without stops, at lower
end of hall near the screen. Lateral hall fireplace with chamfered granite
monoloithic jambs now without stops and massive granite lintel concealed behind a
C20 board. Inner room fireplace blocked. Longitudinal beam deeply chamfered and
with stops in inner room.
Backing onto lower side of passage a stack with granite ashlar back with chamfered
plinth and cornice; the fireplace has chamfered monolithic granite jambs; if there
were stops they have been worn off; ovolo-moulded wooden lintel with chamfered
mason's mitres to the jambs suggesting that if the lintel were a later replacement
it has been made especially for this fireplace; oven with segmental granite arch
doorway and granite lined. Doorway to passage has heavy ovolo-moulded frame with
carpenter's mitres and rather worn urn-shaped stops. The longitudinal beam in
lower room is roughly chamfered and without stops. Blocked doorway in rear wall of
lower room.
The first floor rooms have been enlarged and remodelled in the mid C19 when the
roof was heightened. Circa early C20 stairs in large stair well at rear of lower
end and passage.
It is said that this is the site of the Saxon Barton of circa 700 AD. Sir Philip
Courtenay came into the possession of Moreton in 1309 when he enlarged and improved
the Barton to become his manor house.
Mearsdon Manor is a substantial late medieval house which in spite of C19
remodelling retains many high quality interior features. Externally the large
lateral stack and the old doorway, together with the complete C19 fenestration, are
an important feature in Cross Street.

Listing NGR: SX7546786024

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17535094

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.

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