Details
BAWDSEY (Off) FERRY ROAD
TM 33 NW
(South end)
12/13 Bawdsey Manor
28/3/84
G.V. II*
Country House. c.1895 with additions of c.1908. For and possibly by
Cuthbert Quilter with advice from Percy MacQuoid. Red English bond brick
with ashlar dressings and Portland stone ashlar. Two towers of 3 storeys
with corner turrets which rise to a fourth storey joined by a 2-storey
range with attics. Jacobethan and Francois I. Entrance front: Two
projecting towers, loosely based on the keep at Bolsover joined by an
ashlar range showing French influence. To right is the Red Tower, of brick
which has two octagonal turrets to its corners, and semi-basement with
sweeping side walls to a staircase of 5 steps. Richly moulded door
surround of rubbed brick and at left of this 2 square lights with moulded
ashlar surrounds. The plinth of the corner polygonal turrets is slightly
battered and this dies back via an offset of moulded brick to the ground
floor which has single lights to each face of the turrets as have the first
and second floors. Cross window to left with a moulded ashlar surround.
Ashlar string-course between the ground and first floors and a further
string-course at the level of the sill of the central oriel window which is
of ashlar and has moulding to its underside and is canted with a 2-light
cross window to the centre and single lights to the angles with trefoil
heads and brattished enrichment to the transom. Battlemented parapet
above. Further ashlar string-course between the first and second-floors
which has two 2-light casements with ashlar surrounds and Tudor heads to
the lights, the left hand light of each window being a dummy. Above this
is a further string-course with dentils and a parapet of terracotta with
lattice-patterned balustrade to either side of a central brick stack which
has a terracotta cartouche in a recessed panel with moulded surround.
Above this are 3 richly decorated circular flues with octagonal shafts.
The turrets have circular windows to their tops on each face and terracotta
panels showing Mannerist masks surrounded by foliage. Ashlar enrichment to
the eaves and ogee domed caps above of copper with weather vanes in the
form of halberds. The left hand face of this Tower has an ashlar door-
surround to the right of the centre having panelled pilasters at each side
standing on panelled plinths and having debased Ionic capitals. Convex
moulding to the frieze above this and moulded cornice. Further moulded
panels above the pilasters, at either side of a lattice arrangement with a
stylised floral arrangement and dentiled cornice above this with a strap-
work cartouche surrounding an oval plaque with a decorated keystone to its
top flanked by obelisks on stylised balls with a further similar ornament
to the apex. To the first floor on this front is a blind window of 2
lights at right and a similar window immediately above the doorway, each
having ashlar surrounds and Tudor-arched lights as seen on the other front.
To the second floor are 2 cross-windows with ashlar surrounds. The left
hand side of this front is masked by the ashlar additions of c. 1908 to the
ground and first floors. Similar terracotta parapet with lattice strapwork
and the central pier with a decorated mask with cartouche surround. To the
left of this tower. extends the two-storey range of c.1908 which has to far
right in the re-entrant angle between the tower and the main range a bay
window of 4 sides, each one having a cross window at ground floor level
with colonettes between of 3/4-circular section with moulded bases and
rising to the level of the sills of the first floor windows. Between the
ground and first floor windows are blank panels with projecting central
blocks apparently intended to be carved. Similar cross-windows to the
first floor with further angle shafts. Ashlar parapet above with lattice
patterns and polygonal piers with moulded caps. To left of this is a
ground floor window of 4 lights with moulded mullions and transoms and
above this a similar range of 4 blank panels as at right and to first floor
a further 4- light window. To the left is a porch-doorway having a 4-
centered archway, richly-moulded with ogee and cavetto mouldings and square
bosses to the outer hollow chamfer. Panelled pilasters to either side of
this on panelled bases with Ionic capitals, shields and scrolls to the
spandrels. Convex frieze above this. To the first floor is a recessed
panel to the lower body with moulded surround holding a coat of arms with
foliage and the motto PLUTOT MOURIR QUE CHANGER. Recessed panels to
either side of this with foliage and above this obelisk with ball supports
in half profile. First floor window of 3 lights with moulded mullions and
a transom. Gable above this has slightly projecting corner posts with
Jacobean drops and supporting obelisks on balls and a similar obelisk to
the summit of the gable. One single-light casement to this gable with a 4-
centred head and strapwork to either side and above. Within the porch is a
mosaic floor showing a dog with a collar and chain. Painted ashlar door
surround having single lights to either side of a panelled door with richly
moulded brass hinges and a panelled ceiling with moulded ribs and square
bosses. To the left hand wall of the porch, set in a blocked doorway is a
plaque with the Air Force crest in relief at the top, which reads:
IN THE YEAR 1936 AT BAWDSEY MANOR ROBERT WATSON-WATT AND HIS TEAM OF
SCIENTISTS DEVELOPED THE FIRST AIR DEFENCE WARNING STATION. THE
RESULTS ACHIEVED BY THESE PIONEERS PLAYED A VITAL PART IN THE
SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN IN 1940.
To left again of this porch are two 4-light windows with 4-centred heads to
the lights with moulded surrounds and two transoms; the topmost ranges of
lights being subdivided by minor mullions. Similar single-light window
between these two and divided from them by moulded ashlar colonettes with
moulded bases and capitals similar to those on the right hand polygonal
bay. Blank panels between the ground and first floor windows and two 4-
light windows to the first floor with moulded surround and an ashlar
parapet above, again with lattice. To left again is a polygonal bay, being
4 sides of an octagon, and having cross windows to the ground and first
floors with blank panels between, and with shafts to the angles of the type
seen at right. The bay becomes a circular turret above first floor level
having single-light windows with strapwork ornament at either side and over
and spirelets to the angles supporting balls. Richly moulded dentilled
cornice below the cap which reverts to octagonal form and is supported on
curled brackets. Ogee ashlar cap above with ball finial. To left again
are 2 further 4-light windows at second and first floor levels. The right
hand ground floor window is blank. Blank panels between floors and lattice
ashlar parapet as before. The plain-tile roof behind this range has two 2-
light dormer windows at centre. One cross-axial ridge stack at centre of 3
flues having octagonal flues of moulded brick with rosettes in relief.
Similar stack at right, now cut down and having one pot. To left of the
octagonal turret is a further brick stack with offsets. Projecting and to
left of this range is the White Tower, of ashlar, which has a projecting
plinth that dies back via a moulded offset and with slit windows to the
turrets. Three-light casements to centre of the front with Tudor hood
mould and 4-centred arches to each light. To the first floor is an oriel
window, exactly similar to that seen on the Red Tower. The polygonal
turrets have shafts to their angles at this level. String courses divide
the floors, the second floor having to its centre a 2-light casement with
single-light casements at either side. The parapet has openwork tracery
showing trefoil heads and piers with obelisk knops. The turrets have slit
windows to their topmost floor and angle shafts act as springing for a
blind arcade of trefoil-headed arches, below the ogee caps which rise to
ball finials with metal spikes. The right hand flank of this tower has a
richly moulded doorway at centre with a hollow chamfer decorated with
square floral bosses and strapwork to the spandrels and a Tudor hood mould.
To either side of this are single-light windows with 4-centered heads. To
the first floor are two 2-light casement windows with 4-centered heads and
hood-moulds and two similar windows to the second floor. Tracery parapet
above. The main range of the house adjoins the right hand corner and the
polygonal turret here takes the form of a bartizan. Screen wall to left of
the tower masking the service court and with a 4-centred gateway at right,
above it a square, blank panel. To left of this a 2-light window with
moulded surround and similar window to first floor left. Lattice parapet
above. Right hand flank of the house: Red Tower at left having similarly
arranged turrets and two 3-light windows to the first floor and a
terracotta panel at centre showing a cartouche with the date 1895
surrounded by foliage and a mask. Two cross-windows to the second floor
with a further terracotta panel at centre with mask. Terracotta trellis
parapet above. To right of this is the parapet wall of a raised garden.
Recessed at its upper level is a 2-storey wing which has a central bay with
2 lights and single lights at the angles and a cross window to left of this
and a double door at right. Before this is a loggia of three bays, each
housing a 6-centred arch. To the first floor are 3 cross windows and to
the shaped gable which has convex sides and arched top is a 3-light window
with moulded surround and mullions. To either side of this are slightly
projecting gabled wings, that at right having a projecting bay window to
the ground floor with curved corners and a hipped lead roof. Three-light
window to the first floor and a single light to the gable. The left hand
gable is similar save that its ground floor is masked by a winter garden
which projects to be flush with the terrace wall. This has two 6-centred
arches with richly moulded ashlar surrounds and a parapet above. To far
right is a polygonal turret having single lights to each face at ground
floor level, ashlar pilaster buttresses to both floors at the angles and
ashlar panels with strapwork above the first floor windows. Copper convex
octagonal cap with weather vane in the form of a curled dragon. Rear: the
last mentioned turret is here seen at left. To right of it at ground floor
level are three 4-light windows with moulded ashlar surrounds. Dentilled
brick cornice dividing the ground from the first floor. To the first floor
at far left is one 3-light casement and to right of this are a 3-light and
2-light casement above which are timber-framed gables with pebbledash
infill, containing 4-light timber-framed windows having segment panels
above the centre of each with radiating sun motifs and decorated
bargeboards. To right of this and slightly projecting is a doorway having
fluted pilasters at either side and a surround of moulded brick. To the
first floor is a 3-light casement. To right again is a further raised
terrace garden, the retaining wall of which projects at right angles from
the front. An archway in this wall gives onto a serpentine staircase which
leads up to the higher level. The first floor (now, perforce the ground
floor) has here a bay window at left with curved corners, of 5 lights
before which is a loggia of 3 bays divided by tapering timber posts carved
in the form of Jacobean Ionic columns with flutings, also bearing a panel
of richly moulded wood brought from elsewhere and showing the arms of the
United Kingdom and the United States and the mottos DIEU ET MON DROIT and E
PLURIBUS UNUM on scrolls. Above this is a 3-light gabled dormer window of
rubbed brick which has stone surround to the window and rubbed brick
pilasters at either side, and a shaped gable above with foliate patterns
surrounding the cartouche bearing the date 1890. To right again a
polygonal turret having cross-windows to each face and terracotta panels
above these with rinceau ornament. Copper cap, convex to its lower body
and ogee above with fishscales.
Interior: The lobby has a panelled ceiling with moulded ribs and square
bosses. Panelled double doors with spiral brass handles lead to the ground
floor corridor which has oak panelling below the moulded dado and a
panelled ceiling. The bar has richly panelled doors, as have all the
principal rooms in the house. Oak chimney-piece including some 17th
Century panelling to the overmantel. Dining room: plaster ceiling with
strapwork, oak panelling to the walls, having linen-fold to the lower body,
recessed panels above and strapwork panels below the cornice. To either
side of the windows and flanking the fireplace, a fitted sideboard and
running along the side walls, are projecting colonettes, either plain with
a band or having strapwork enrichment. Similar pilaster responds. Hermes
and Caryatids to the overmantel. Hall: of 2 storeys, having oak panelling
to the lower level. Painted Italianate ashlar fireplace. Landing running
around 2 sides of the room with richly moulded open balusters of Jacobean
form. Heavy moulded beams to the ceiling including one pseudo-hammer-beam
truss with arched brace and dropped knops. Drawing Room: Panelling and
plaster ceiling in a loose Louis XVI style. Study: panelled oak ceiling
with moulded beams, moulded wall panelling below the dado and leather
panels above it with lions passant and fleurs de lys stamped in gold.
Staircase Hall: panelled oak walls. The staircase is of 2 flights with a
quarter-turn and has panelled newels with decorative knops and dropped
knops, a moulded handrail and strapwork panels to the balustrade. Billiard
Room: raised benches to the side walls of stamped and buttoned leather with
quadrant benches to either side of the fireplace. At either side of these
three recesses are Corinthian pillars of varnished oak with cabling to
their lower bodies and similar clasping pilaster responds. Coved ceiling
divided into panels by caryatids in relief and having masks and Mannerist
cartouches to the panels, and a central rectangular skylight. A smoking
room leads off from this with panelled walling, an ingle-nook with 4-
centred arch and fire surround of green tiles. Richly moulded plasterwork
to the octagonal dome above one end. The stairs to the attic floor are of
3 flights with 1/4-turns and a panelled dado, square newels, ball finials and
open strapwork to the balustrade.
SOURCE: Eric Sandon, Suffolk Houses, 1977
Listing NGR: TM3351137806
