GADDESDEN HALL

Overview

Location

Details

GREAfGADDESDEN LEIGHTON BUZZARD ROAD(A4146) TL 00 NW (West side) Water End 5/112 Gaddesden Hall 22.10.52

- II*

Manor house. S wing has late medieval crosswing and hall range rebuilt in last quarter of C16 with flint walling, large rear chimneys and stair tower, probably for Martha Jermyn. Attic storey created and stair heightened in late C17, porch removed and crosswing altered for new entrance in C20. E wing a separate hall and crosswing house in C17 when hall floored over, brick cased and extended to N in C20. Originally all timber framed but now S wing of uncoursed flint with brick dressings, and E wing cased in C20 red brick. Steep old red tile roofs. A large, irregular L-shaped house facing N, with 2-storeys and attics S range entered by lower gabled E crosswing. Adjoining E range has small gable marking the former hall and N crosswing adjoining E side of crosswing of S range. The gabled C20 N end of the E range has a window on each floor and a 3-shafts external chimney. 2 2-light casement windows to each floor of S range, on the ground floor deeper with transoms. Battened door up 3 steps with side lights, label, and window over. Tall 2-shafts chimney on front wall to RH of door. 2-storeys gabled porch formerly at RH end of N front of S range shown on Buckler dwg of 1832 in HRO. Large C16 chimney stack projects from rear of S range with 3 diagonally set square shafts and plinth course which continues round stair tower projecting to E of it with corbelled course marking its original height and gabled top part added in C17 with 2 similar chimney shafts in its E wall serving the crosswing. Interior has timber framing exposed in E wing, chamfered beams, and fine 4-centred arched stone moulded C16 fireplaces in S range hall, and more elaborate with vine-scroll spandrels and roll-mouldings in S range parlour. Early C18 panelled entrance hall with fielded panels and corner fireplace. E wing has double-ovolo moulded ceiling beam, serpentine splat balustrade to staircase, and evidence of heightening. Main roof of 3-bays with clasped purlins and convex-curved wind-braces. This was the manor-house of the manor of Southall (a sub-manor of Great Gaddesden) first recorded in 1200. Originally called Southall, then Oliver's Place after Robert Oliver who held it in 1448, but Gaddesden Hall since C17. A farmhouse up to 1914. (VCH (1908)203-4: RCHM (1911)101: Pevsner (1977)151: Bryant (1982) I, 5-6: RCHM Typescript).

Listing NGR: TL0430409597

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

157891

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Doubleday, AH, The Victoria History of the County of Hertford, (1908), 203-4
Pevsner, N, Cherry, B, The Buildings of England: Hertfordshire, (1977)
Other
Inventory of the Historical Monuments of Hertfordshire, (1910)

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.