Description

TL 41 NE THORLEY PIG LANE
(west side)
Twyford House

4/17 Twyford House (Nos 1-8)

22.2.67

- II*

House. Mid C17, altered and refaced c.1715, further alterations
1835 (by Lewis Vulliamy), 1894 (by F S Brereton) and 1912.
Divided into flats 1970; largely gutted to eradicate dry rot
1980-1. 2 storeys and attics, with steep, hipped red tile roof
and central cupola. Double-depth plan with kitchen wing at rear
(SW). Red brick mansion in English bond probably built for Hale
family, owners from 1650. Front range on E retains structural
posts flanking central chimney on N side of central hall, and
pairs of axial girder beams. On S side of hall beams with
mortices define a cross passage or possibly another central
chimney. C19 chimney inserted further S. Foundations suggest a
rear stair hall and 2 service rooms to N of it in original
arrangement. House cased in fine red brickwork with sash windows
c.1715. Symmetrical E front of 9 windows and advanced,
pedimented, 3-window centre, is little changed. In Flemish bond,
it has a plinth, floor band and wood modillioned eaves cornice.
Rubbed brick flat arches to slightly recessed box sashes with 6/6
panes and moulded architrave. Fine early C18 central doorcase
with fluted pilasters on high moulded bases, supporting fine
carved.floral consoles and full entablature with swelled frieze,
modillioned cornice and triangular pediment. Eared moulded
architrave to round-headed opening. High relief carved foliage
in spandrels. C19 flush panelled reveal and overdoor, and 6-
panelled door with planted mouldings. N flank has 4 blind
recesses on each floor corresponding to the front windows.
Octagonal cupola over rear range raised on tall panelled square
base with clock faces E and W, and projecting dentilled cornice.
Cupola lacks wind vane, and bell noted in 1967 said to have been
dated 1665. Oval window in front pediment with radial glazing
bars. The 4 hipped dormers, with 6/6 panes sash windows and the
tall octagonal chimneyshafts are late additions. The kitchen
wing was remodelled in 1835 and 1894, and the large square NW bay
was probably added in 1912. Wooden doorcase to rear door is not
that shown in Buckler's drawing of 1834 (HRO). It has 3/4
engaged oval columns, fluted for half their height, with echinus
mouldings on the capitals but moulded bases. Full entablature
with echinus to corona and circular sinkings in the mutules.
Planted central panel in frieze with moulded sunk centre.
Surviving interior features include the early C19 dividing
staircase, with cut string, stick balusters and simple moulded
handrail. In the front hall a C18 wooden fire surround with
marble slips, moulded, eared architrave, full entablature with
swelled frieze and key pattern below corona. Small-panelled oak
panelling around fireplace. An oak C19 fire surround near
staircase carved with mantled and helmeted shield and motto
'Frere Ayme Frere'. The house is described in Mrs Elizabeth
Grant's Memoirs of a Highland Lady (she lived there 1806-7) and
is associated with Cecil Rhodes, whose uncle Arthur Rhodes lived there 1860-71.

Listing NGR: TL4933119306

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17553954

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

• 
  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair