Description

TQ 04 SE EWHURST HURTWOOD

1887-/2/10003 Marylands

II*

House. Designed by Oliver Hill and built between 1929-31 for Mr M C Warner in an
inventive mixture of Spanish style with Lutyens influence. The architect successfully deflected
the client from his Tudor preference which Oliver Hill thought was completely wrong for the
site. Built of sandstone with Swedish green pantiled roof. Comprises U-shaped block of 2
storeys facing south-west to take full advantage of the spectacular views, with north-east side
incorporating tall battered square tower and with curved service wing of one storey and attics
attached to the north by an archway. The two wings are linked by a stone terrace incorporating
a Moorish curved pool. Irregular fenestration with carefully designed but disparate glazing.
Central block of south-west or garden front has 4 windows to first floor, including three 4 or
5 light casments and left side tripartite window with metal glazing bars in the form of stylized
hooked branches. Ground floor windows are round-headed with glazing bars and a
round-headed door with massive hinges. Projecting right hand wing has open loggia on ground
floor with round headed arches and former nursery wing on first floor with open sleeping
platform of three bays to the south. Windows overlooking the view were purposely left
unglazed, windows facing south-east are four-light casements. Projecting left hand wing has
sleeping platform at south of first floor with metal balcony to the principal bedroom. Music
room on ground floor has round-headed tall windows, some with glazing bars, some without
and metal balcony to south. North-west side has battered external chimneystack and to north
is a battered square tower of 4 storeys, including library on first floor with modified Venetian
window, round-headed windows to second floor with idiosyncratic diagonal glazing bars and
small casements to tower room. Entrance front to north-east has 3 and 4 light casements.
Round-headed doorcase. Curved former service wing of one storey and attics has casement
windows and hipped dormers to the rear. The interior is remarkably complete. The music room
has a sandstone fireplace with herringbone brick infill and brick curved hood, dais at one end,
oak hatch with chevron pattern to library, round-headed door with chevron pattern to hall and
smaller plank door to library up three steps with tiled risers and specially designed curved
curtain rails which open outwards. Beamed ceiling supported on stone corbels. Staircase hall has
minstrels' gallery, two round-headed arches with battered column, circular herringbone brick
feature to floor, circular stone steps with tiled risers, stone arches to minstrels gallery, partly
open wooden staircase and wheel light fitting. Library has corner stone fireplace. Dining room
is barrel-vaulted and has a Tudor arched fireplace with herringbone brick infill and serving
hatch with chevron pattern which folds into four to kitchen. Original light fittings. Service
staircase has stick balusters and square newel posts. Servants' bells survive. First floor corridor
has copper light fittings. Several bedrooms have original fireplaces, some with tiled surrounds
and cupboards. Open tread staircase to tower room and lattice design to balustrade. During the
Second World War the house was let to Tatsumi, the Japanese Military Attache and Sikorsky,
the Polish prime minister.
See 'Country Life' October 24 1931, 'The Builder' January 24 1928, 'The Ideal Home' June
1938, BOE Surrey p227.

Listing NGR: TQ0829242008

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Marylands at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q15979173

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

• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)