Ruckley Grange, including terrace to west and south

Details

SJ 70 NE
6/44

TONG CP
Ruckley
NEACHLEY LANE (west side)
Ruckley Grange, including terrace to west and south.

GV
II*
Country House. Dated 1904 on rainwater heads, by Sir Ernest George and Yates. Squared and coursed sandstone with ashlar dressings, and plain tile roofs. Irregular H-plan; Neo-Elizabethan style. Two storeys and attic.

Plinth, string course, moulded stone eaves cornice, coped parapeted gable ends with obelisk finials at feet and apexes, two-light flat topped dormers; 14 large stacks with cornices, except that to east with two diagonal shafts, and end stack to north west with one square and one octagonal shaft. Moulded stone mullioned and transomed windows with leaded lights, some with flanking pilasters and cornices.

Entrance front:slightly asymmetrical E-plan.Gabled wings and central gabled three storey porch; moulded four-centred arched doorway with impost mouldings, keystone, and 12-panelled door; flanking pilasters with raised lozenge decoration, frieze and cornice, and carved coat of arms above with strapwork and triangular pedimented top.

West front: main elements of asymmetrical composition include two storey, two bay, porch off-centre to left with ground and first floor cornices, balustraded parapet with obelisks, and gable set back behind; first floor pilaster strips and two-light windows, ground floor round-arched arcaded loggia with Tuscan columns, grouped at corners; half glazed door set back behind with overlight and side lights; projecting three storey gabled square bay off-centre to right, ground floor window with central segmental-arched light.

South front: U-plan with 1:5:1 bay rhythm. Gabled wings, central gabled eaves dormer, first floor two-light windows and ground floor cross windows. Two central half glazed doors with two-light overlight and moulded surround; flanking pilasters with strapwork decoration supporting frieze and dentil cornice, and uncarved strapwork plaque above.

Service courtyard to north east, one storey; central round-arched carriageway to north with impost blocks, keystones, and stepped parapeted gables. Terrace to west and south with squared and coursed sandstone dwarf walls, and steps down to lawn.

Interior: panelled entrance hall with passage leading to Neo-Elizabethan three-flight square-well staircase with Ionic balusters, moulded handrail, and square newels with Ionic finials; Hall: Neo-Elizabethan decoration with panelling and fluted pilasters, rich frieze with putti, panelled plaster ceiling with moulded beams, lozenges and putti; marble fireplace with grotesques and egg and dart enriched cornice;

Drawing Room: Neo-Classical decoration with pilasters, frieze with urns, and moulded cornice; Neo-Classical fireplace with central urn plaque and swags; Dining Room: dado panelling; Neo-Elizabethan stone fireplace with depressed arch, uncarved shields in spandrels, strapwork pilasters, fluted frieze, and overmantel with fluted pilasters; Smoking Room: large stone fireplace with shafted moulded arch,shield with motto: "CURA:ET:INDUSTRIA", and inscription: "THINE OWN/FRIEND AND/THY/FATHER'S FRIEND/FORSAKE NOT.,'

Some original Architects' drawings remain in the house. Landscaped grounds with lake, gazebo and pool (qv), balustraded retaining wall (qv), walled garden (qv), and gates (qv). The house and stable block (qv) show the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement on Architects who were not otherwise directly associated with it.

Listing NGR: SJ7794306593

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

255295

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Shropshire, (1958), 237
Reid, P, Burkes and Savills Guide to Country Houses in Herefordshire Shropshire Warwickshire Worcestershire, (1980), 11-12

End of official list entry

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