Details
SO 92 NE
2/170
4.7.60
WINCHCOMBE
POSTLIP
Postlip Hall
I
Large detached country house, now in six occupations. Substantially C17,
but possibly some C16 work. Much restoration 1878/79. Mainly limestone
ashlar, stone slate roofs. A plan of accretion, the oldest wing seems to
be that facing north-east to which slightly later was added a substantial
gabled wing facing south-east, thus forming an L-plan; later, including
in Victorian times, extensions were made so as to enclose an irregular central
courtyard. There is a central hall in the south-east wing, approached
by a door at one end, in the traditional medieval way, but without screens
now. North east wing two storeys and attic, 7+3-windowed; 7+1 2-light casement
dormers, 3-light mullioned casements first floor, the right-hand three
windows at a higher level than the remainder, over a cill band, are 2+1+2-
light respectively. At ground floor various casements, including two with
arched Tudor heads to lights. Moulded string over ground floor lights
3-7 inclusive steps up to become cill band to right. Various stacks in
2 or 3 flues, with moulded capping, frieze, and skirt; some ornamental
Victorian pots. The south-east front is 5+1 saddle-back coped gables, the
right gable, at the termination of the return wing, with a carved sheep
as finial; 2½ storeys, in gables 1-5 3-light ovolo mould casements under
stopped drips, in gable 6 similar window, but moulded string above, not
stopped drip. In bays 1,3,5 and 6, two-storey hexagonal bays with moulded
string courses at first and second floors in bays 1-5 large mullioned and
transomed casements, including king mullions to 4-light central sections;
the ground floor windows also with iron armatures alternately inside and
outside the glazing. In bay 5 arched doorway with Victorian plank door
and strap hinges and inner Victorian 4-centred doorway. Three 2½ storey
gables return, left, similar detailing. Various ashlar stacks with cappings
frieze and skirt. Inside the courtyard, east corner, some light C16 half-
timbered work. INTERIOR: the Hall mainly stripped of former panelling -
was used in C19 as a farm store; the room over as granary. Room over the
Hall very fine C17 panelling, referred to as 'Cromwellian Room', may have
been at some time a chapel. In ground floor right 3x3 heavy moulded com-
partment ceiling, heavily strapped up; at opposite end of south-east wing,
ground floor, some good Jacobean panelling and fireplace dated 1614, and
above this room a fine stone fireplace and panelling with frieze. In the
north corner, in oldest part of house, an open-ceiled room revealing very
heavy roof ties and various stays. One stone spiral stair remains. Much
modification has occurred in this spendid house, and in the early 1860s
it was already occupied by four tenants - bailiff, carter and shepherd
included - and the central section used for farm purposes. (Oakey, J :
Reminiscences of Winchcombe, 1936 and 1971). Photographs, principally of
exterior, in NMR.
Listing NGR: SO9987726858
