Details
KEEVIL MAIN STREET
ST 95 NW
(north side)
7/127 Keevil Manor with attached stables
11.9.68
GV I
Manor house. Circa 1580 for Thomas Lambert, porch added 1611, 1912
additions for General Dixon. Limestone ashlar front, rendered
rubble stone returns, tiled gabled roof with ashlar stacks. Two-
storey and attic, 5-window south front. Central 1611 two-storey
porch with Tudor-arched doorway, shell-headed niches within, Tuscan
columns and entablature to both storeys, 3-light mullioned and
transomed casement to first floor, small trefoil-headed lights to
sides. Cross window and 3-light mullioned and transomed casement
either side to ground floor, moulded lintel string course, first
floor has two 3-light mullioned and transomed casements flanking
porch, four attic gables with 3-light mullioned casements with
hoodmoulds, saddleback coping with finials; all windows are
hollow-chamfered. Left return has two Tudor-arched doorways, right
hand blocked, left with ledged door, two 3-light mullioned and
transomed casements, one cross window and one 2-light mullioned
casement, string courses, first floor with three 3-light mullioned
and transomed casements, three attic gables with windows and detail
as front. Right return has Tudor-arched ledged door right of
centre, 3-light mullioned and transomed windows, cross windows or
mullioned casements, triple attic gables as left return. Rear
central courtyard, early C20 additions, mullioned and transomed
casements to flanking original wings.
Interior: Screens passage entered from south entrance, fine carved
screen with two round arches, strapwork decoration, egg and dart
pilasters. Hall to right has full panelling with Ionic pilasters,
arched panels and richly-carved frieze and cornice, Tudor-arched
stone fireplace in lateral position, ceiling has central plaster
panel with foliage decoration. Library to left of entrance has
linenfold panelling. South west room has C18 full panelling.
North east room has fine plaster ceiling with thin-ribbed geometric
design with floral motifs and fleur de lis, stone fireplace.
Moulded cross-beamed ceiling to west entrance hall. Some richly-
carved doors with 4 panels and cock's head hinges. Good stairs
from ground floor to attics with round newels, pierced splat
balusters, rear stairs have turned balusters to landings. North
east bedroom has original plaster ceiling similar to room below,
eared fireplace surround with floral drops, scrolled frieze and
cornice. Attached to west is single-storey service range, altered
c1912 with leaded casements and gabled dormers, 1912 square rubble
stone water tower with lancets, Tudor-arched doorway and parapet.
Attached to latter is former C17 or C18 stables, also altered, but
retains moulded square doorway. Built for the Lamberts and owned
by the Beach family from C17 to early C20, a fine example of a
Wiltshire manor house retaining especially rich fittings. Group of
impressive yew trees in garden, known as The Twelve Apostles.
(N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England, Wiltshire, 1975; Country
Life, May 14, 1904; VCH, Wiltshire, Vol 8, 1965)
Listing NGR: ST9191458144
