Description

BEDFIELD CHURCH LANE
TM 26 NW

2/18 Bedfield Hall
29/7/55

GV II*

Manor house. Hall range has C15 core, much altered late C16 when the parlour
wing was added. Early C17 service wing. Sympathetically restored 1980's. A
hall range with flanking 2-cell cross-wings, projecting only to the rear, the
service wing to left and parlour wing to right. Timber framed and plastered,
plaintiled roof. 2 storeys and attic. 4 windows, one to wings, 2 to hall
range: early C19 3-light casements with ogee-headed lights and square-leaded
glass. C19 porch, plastered and lined to imitate ashlar; corner piers and
ogee parapet, both with mid C20 coping and spike finials. Doorway has
dentilled 2-centred arch; plank door with studded cover battens. Both wings
have moulded tie beams supported on original carved brackets. Internal stack
with oblong shaft on moulded base with inset panel; cap rebuilt mid C20. A
further internal stack in service wing. Similar 2-light windows to side of
service wing, one with older diamond-leaded panes. Original mullioned
windows, mostly ovolo-moulded, to side of parlour wing and to rear. Others
visible inside. Interior. Some good studding, much of it closely-spaced,
with restored C17 painted decoration. Parlour has early C17 plaster ceiling:
encased axial beam, the soffit with a pattern of linked squares, originally
painted black; at right angles is a band of pea foliage; in each of the 4
compartments are Fleur-de-lys and Tudor rose motifs. Parlour fireplace has
restored brick arch with corbelled ovolo moulding above. This and other
fireplaces show evidence of original lining of the brick joints. Studding in
parlour chamber has restored early C17 red ochre decoration. This room has a
further early C17 plaster ceiling: moulded axial beam enriched with pea
foliage; at right angles a band of mixed foliage; the 4 compartments have
square panels with a central acorn leaf. The fireplace has a stuccoed arch
with quoining and cresting. Rooms behind parlour and parlour chamber have
imitation close studding painted on plaster on the party wall. Some C15
studding on upper floor of hall range, with evidence for diamond-mullioned
hall window. Front wall has blocked doorway to upper room over former early
C17 2-storey porch. 2 newel stairs to attics by each of the stacks; the stair
in the service wing is original. In the service wing the front chamber and
attic room above both have arched stuccoed fireplaces with original black
paintwork. Hall range has 2 C15 rafter trusses, well sooted and apparently in
situ; other C15 rafters are re-used in an adjacent partition. Roof over
majority of hall range probably contemporary with that over the parlour wing:
clasped and butt purlins with 2-way arched wind bracing. Evidence for one
original dormer in front of hall roof. Service wing has butt purlin roof with
straight wind braces. By the cross-passage is a straight stair of c.1800 with
stick balusters, ramped and wreathed handrail and carved tread-ends. Partial
medieval moat.

Listing NGR: TM2275966442

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17536283

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

• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)