Details
PADWORTH
Su 66 NN
4/7 Padworth House
25,lO.51
GV II*
House, now college. Circa 1769 by John Hobcraft encasing a C17 house. Stucco,
plat bands at cill levels, 3 centre bays project slightly with triangular
pediment over; moulded cornice and parapet to hipped slate roof with 4 stacks.
Flanking wings slightly set back, of stucco with plat bands at cill levels,
parapets, hipped slate roofs that to left with 2 stacks, that to right with 2
stacks and 3 C19 gabled dormers. 3 storey, 7 bay block with 2 storey, 4 bay wing
to left and 2 storeys and attic, 4 bay wing to right. Glazing bar sashes, centre
window on first floor with moulded architrave and brackets supporting cornice
above. 2 central glazed doors and Doric porch with 2 unfluted columns and
pilasters, entablature with triglyphs, guttae and paterae, and triangular pedi-
ment. Wing to left has half glazed door in third bay from left with cornice
and radial fanlight; wing to right has doorway in left hand bay and C19 tri-
partite sash in third bay from right. North front: central block of 9 bays, 3
centre bays slightly projecting with triangular pediment over; first floor
central window with architrave and brackets supporting cornice above. Central
half glazed doors and doorcase with Ionic half columns supporting segmental
pediment. Flanking 2 storey, 3 bay wings set back slightly, that to left with
C19 gabled dormer. Of wall with window remain in east end. Interior: much
good plasterwork by Joseph Rose. Entrance Hall: double height space, staircase
with wrought iron balustrade around 3 walls; groin vaulted 3 bay arched arcades
on each floor to north with Doric columns on ground floor and columns with
'Adamesque' capitals on first floor; plasterwork includes moulded ceiling, niches
to east and west, wall panels and swags and medallions in spandrels of arches.
Drawing room: pelmets, C18 fireplace and good moulded ceiling. Dining room,
now ballroom: pelmets, C19 three bay Doric arcade to west. Library: 2 C18
pedimented bookcases. Office: Gothick fireplace and overmantel with painted
scenes from the Gothick fishing lodge (see 4/6) Saloon, now dining room:
2 arched niches to east are C19 additions. Kitchen: some C17 panelling
remains as do som C17 moulded beams in other rooms to east. BOE, Berkshire,
p. 191; Berkshire Architectural Guide, Betjeman and Piper; Murray, 1949, p. 137;
Country Life, Vol. Lii, pp. 342-348, 372-378, 414-417 (including plan and eleva-
tion).
Listing NGR: SU6132666253