Studley Priory

Details

HORTON CUM STUDLEY STUDLEY SP5912 14/68 Studley Priory 26/11/51 - II* Country house, now hotel, incorporating monastic buildings. Probably C14 and C15, remodelled and extended late C16 for Sir John Croke and early C17 for Sir George Croke; wing added early C19. Limestone rubble with ashlar dressings; old plain-tile roof with brick stacks. Complex plan. Right half of main range, of 2 storeys plus attic, is probably C14 but has tall C16 stone-mullioned and transomed windows arranged irregularly. Central 2-storey porch has a Renaissance archway flanked by fluted Doric pilasters, carrying an entablature with a frieze of triglyphs and medallions, over which is a panel containing 3 shields of arms, dated 1587, enlarged to include a fourth dated 1622; at first floor a large 3-light mullioned-and-transomed window with square-headed lights is flanked by Ionic columns on panelled pedestals, rising to consoles and a triangular pediment within the gable, which contains biblical quotation, a Tudor rose, a crown and the initials "E.R.". The hall to left of the porch, has similar windows arranged regularly and is probably C16. Its moulded plinth returns around a projecting triple-gabled section to left, incorporating the hall bay window, with large transomed windows up to 5 lights wide and a central bay window of 1877. Projecting early C17 multi-gabled range to left, of one storey plus attic, was a chapel, and has 2-light transomed side windows, a 6-light window in the front gable wall, with 3- and 4-light windows in the gables and a blocked basket-arched doorway to right. Windows have hollow chamfers and 4-centre arched upper lights as in the other ranges, and the gables have similar vase finials on their apexes but lack moulded projecting kneelers. Roof has a timber bellcote. Long stable range to left of chapel wing has, at ground floor, similar 2- and 3-light mullioned windows plus 2 moulded stone doorways, but most first floor windows were inserted when the roof was raised in 1924; the parapetted dormer gable with a 3-light window is original. A rough datestone is inscribed "AC/1666". To right of the main range the low C15/early C16 kitchen range projects; its front gable wall, with mullioned windows, continues to right in a low 2-storey range with irregular fenestration which includes a chamfered 4-centre arched doorway and several deeply-chamfered openings; it is probably late medieval, and terminates in a short stable section. Rear of this range has further openings. Rear of kitchen includes a large 3-light window with massive chamfered mullioned plus a large projecting chimney on the rear gable wall. Wing projecting to rear of kitchen is probably early C17; second wing to rear of the hall is c.1820 with a large canted 2-storey bay window forming its rear wall. Rear of triple-gabled block also has 3 gables, one higher above the stair tower, and includes 6- and 7-light transomed windows. Rear of chapel is similar to its front wall. Rear of stable range has inserted C20 mullioned windows. Roofs have numerous stacks with clusters of diagonally set shafts. Interior: large built-up late-medieval fireplace in kitchen; 2 stone 4-centre arched doorways leading from cross passage into kitchen wing; several C16/early C17 doorways on main stair, at first floor and in attics; some original heavy bulbous balusters plus a short stone baslutrade of similar design. C17 panelling in parlour; early C18 bolection-mould panelling in hall; Regency Gothick open-well stair; marble fireplace in Regency drawing room. 7-canted coupled-rafter roof with upper collars on C14 range; butt-purlin roof with curved windbraces and heavy carved struts on kitchen wing; butt-purlin roofs over C16/C17 ranges. The Benedictine Priory was founded 1184 and bought 1539 by John Croke. (V.C.H.: 0xfordshire, Vol.V, p.58; Buildings of England: 0>;fGrdshire, pp.656-7; H. Avray Tipping, "Studley Priory, Oxfordshire"; Country Life, July 11th 1908, pp.54-62; Parke, A History of Studley Priory).

Listing NGR: SP5975312219

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

243305

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Parke, , A History of Studley Priory, ()
Salzman, L F, The Victoria History of the County of Oxford, (1957)
Pevsner, N, Sherwood, J, The Buildings of England: Oxfordshire, (1974), 656-7
Country Life in Country Life, (1908), 54-62

End of official list entry

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