Details
STOKE ROCHFORD STOCK ROCHFORD PARK
SK 92 NW
6/164 Stoke Rochford Hall
14.7.78
G.V. I
Former country house, now a residential trade union centre.
1841-5 by William Burn for Sir Christopher Turnor, in a
Jacobethan style. Pecked ashlar with smooth ashlar quoins and
dressings, Welsh slate roofs having raised stone coped gables
with obelisk finials, numerous tall octagonal grouped stacks, in
a variety of styles, mostly facetted with moulded cornices, some
with twisted cable mouldings and elaborate cornices. Irregular
L-plan comprising central 2 storey plus attics principal range
with, to left and at right angles, a more restrained service wing
to full height with projecting single storey range. To right an
orangery also single storey, continues the main front. Chamfered
plinth, 2 moulded cornice bands, round headed arched balustraded
parapets, raised shaped alternating quoins. Main doorway is
contained in an advanced 2 storey porch which has an elaborate
strapwork gable with obelisks, broken segmental pediment and
lion. Central panelled double doors with plain fanlight,
elaborately moulded architrave with cabochon stones, fasces, and
fruit, flanked by blank semi-circular headed niches with shells
to archivolts. To first floor a mullioned semi-circular oriel
with moulded base is flanked by single 2 light windows, the top
has pierced strapwork parapet. To the gable a decorated square
panel contains an ashlar clock face with Roman numerals, hands
missing, scrolled top and above the Turnor arms with helm over.
The entry bay is flanked by glazed tripartite balustraded and top
lit loggias again with cabochon and fasces with above single 3
light windows and gabled dormers. The outer gabled projecting
flanking bays have tall 2 storey rectangular bays each containing
6 light windows, with pierced strapwork parapets. The angles of
the bays are crowned by square turrets with ogee ashlar roofs
having open work obelisk pinnacles. The turrets are linked by
single pinnacled gables. To left hand service wing is a second
doorway with moulded eared architrave with scrolled overdoor. To
first and second floor are 2 light windows. To side are pairs of
3 light windows to each floor with a gable over the projecting
left hand bay having ball finials. At the angle of the service
wing and long single storey range is a facetted stair tower with
octagonal turret. In the lower range, which has a basement
having 4 tall glazing bar sashes, are to the ground floor
alternating 2 and 3 light windows topped by moulded cornices,
pierced parapet and 4 urns. This range terminates in an advanced
L-shaped block with angle turrets and gable matching the main
house. To right of main block the Orangery has 3 large 4 light
windows to the side walls with a projecting rectangular end bay
having 3 pairs of similar lights. The windows are separated by
Doric pilasters supporting a plain cornice surmounted by urns and
a pierced strapwork cartouche over the advanced bay. The rear
side has slightly projecting gabled wings with angle turrets and
facetted bay windows through 2 storeys. Between the end bays are
5 tall 3 light windows to first and second floors with gabled
dormers linked by pierced parapets above. All windows are ovolo
mullioned and transomed, and the lead rainwater goods bear
foliated "T" for Turnor and are dated 1843. Interior. The
central hall has Jacobean style panelling with segmental broken
pedimented overdoors. The fireplace has an elaborate pedimented
stone overmantle with strapwork flanked by classical demi
figures. To left 3 full height arches, provide access to the
service range beyond. The coffered ceiling has strapwork plaster
cartouches and cornice. The library at the upper end of the hall
has 2 elaborately carved fireplaces with mirrors over and carved
surrounds. The walls are shelved and the ceiling has rich strap
and scrollwork with pendants. The fittings of the Turnor Room
are in the Louis Quinze style with a white marble fireplace and 4
large mirrors having gilded Roccoco surrounds. The doors and
shutters have similar panels, with gesso mouldings, ormolu
handles and scrolled lock plates. The anachronistic plaster
ceiling however continues the Jacobethan style of the house. At
the east end of the room double panelled folded doors lead to
the Rochford Room, which is in a similar style retaining 2
mirrors and a white fireplace. In the former Music Room a large
chimney piece in black and white marble. Winged caryatids with
claw feet, feathered bosoms, winged heads. Massive entablature,
white frieze of foliage. Thought by some to be Flemish C17, but
the faces look C19. The grand stair has moulded newels and
handrail originally with semi-circular arched pierced balusters
with panelled underside having one curved section. In c.1900
some sections of the original balustrades were replaced by
pierced fretwork painted wooden panels depicting scenes from a
Grand Tour made by Christopher Turnor the then owner of the
house. The principal corridor upstairs has bolection moulded
dado panelling. The service range is generally restrained but
has plaster ceiling decorations in C17 vernacular manner.
Cantilevered service stair has cast iron papyrus balusters and
moulded wooden handrail. Beneath the central block is a narrow
gauge railway with square track layout, contained in brick
vaulted tunnels, the rails and turntable survive, this was used
to take coals to the principal rooms. Also brick vaulted wine
cellar.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
193405
Legacy System:
LBS
Sources
Other
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
End of official list entry
