Torrells Hall

Details

TL 60 NW WILLINGALE SHELLOW ROAD, (North side), 6/31 Torrells Hall 27.8.57 GV II*

House, late C16th, C18 and c.1800. A very complex building with numerous alterations and extensions. Part red brick, part gault brick with roofs of peg tile and slate. The southern, front block is an addition of c.1800 by John Johnson, County Surveyor (1732-1814) in gault brick with a parapetted, low pitched slate roof with red ridge tiles. Of two storeys with stone cornice/parapet and stone band at first floor cill level. The first floor has three tripartite sash windows with segmental heads and square panes, the centre window having dummy side lights. The ground floor has 2 similar windows and a central, projecting, fluted doric porch and original 6 panel door and semi- circular fanlight. This block was added to the earlier house to the rear which is substantially of red brickwork and mostly English bond with a variety of peg tile roofs. To the north-east corner is a two storey block with attics, with parapetted gable, facing north with moulded brick corbelled shoulders and a truncated gable finial. The eaves have 3 courses of diagonal brick cornicing and a massive stack with rounded off-setts abuts its east flank. The north facing windows are later, double hung sash windows and casements partly within earlier openings. A two storey block to the S of this has mid C18 diapered red and grey refacing on its east side with a simple entrance door and a variety of contemporary double hung sashes with small panes. Two single storey gabled blocks project out from this face enclosing a small court. To the north of the main block is a late C17 lean-to extension, now with a slate roof and a further peg tile and brick lean-to completes the north-west corner. This has a gabled two light dormer and 3 segmental arched hooded opening, one blocked, one with a three light casement and one with a repositioned door surround. This is of the late C16 with moulded cornice and Ionic pilasters with strapwork and latticed rustication. The interior of the front block shows barrel coved entrance passage, reeded architraves and cornices, atypical staircase with straight rod balusters and a pair of 'palmyra' columns defining a dining room recess. Leaded light window in west flank wall has fragments of old heraldic glass. The C16 block contains a remarkable complete open well staircase, with square newells with ogee finials, arcaded inner balustrading and turned, symmetrical balusters. Adjoining the base of this the remains of a tall 'screen' with giant fluted pilasters on pedestals and an abundance of fret and strapwork detail. Evidence for heavily framed structure and roof with double side purlins with wind bracing. Most original fireplace openings now blocked but a small arch headed and chamfered fireplace remains in a small first floor room. A number of C16/C17 plank doors survive and some areas of C17 panelling. (RCHM 11).

Listing NGR: TL6007808275

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

118501

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
An Inventory of Essex Central and South West, (1921)

End of official list entry

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