Sawston Hall

Details

TL 4849
9/247
12.2.58

SAWSTON
CHURCH LANE
Sawston Hall

GV
I

Country House. Late medieval manor house reputedly burnt in 1553 by the Duke
of Northumberland as a reprisal for the Huddleston family's hospitality to
Mary on July 6 1553. Rebuilt by Sir John Huddleston (d.1557) and his son Sir
Edmund Huddleston (d.1606), 'IH 1557' and 'EH 1584' (dated stones in
courtyard), using stone from Cambridge castle, a gift of Queen Mary.
Alterations, rebuilding and extensions in early C18, and C19; restoration
1850-61. Limestone, ironstone and clunch rubble with Barnack limestone; C19
limestone dressings and some brick and tile repair. Plain tiled roofs with
leaded valleys and flats. Two storeys with attics. Courtyard plan, original
medieval hall range on north side with two storeyed porched entrance, and
oriel linked by completed wings (1584) to south range (1553-7) with gallery
and pentagonal stair turret; a priest's hole in this turret built by Nicholas
Owen, and three other holes are exceptional in their design. A private chapel
in the south range was registered for public worship in 1791.
North elevation: Main hall range of four 'bays' with original medieval
chequered masonry up to attic floor. Flanking wings each of two 'bays' with
gabled parapets; moulded band between ground and first floors and capping to
plinth continuous across projecting gabled porch and oriel. C19 Jacobean
revival archway to entrance porch replacing C18 archway, restored windows with
hollow-chamfered and chamfered mullions and transomes, of multiple- lights at
ground and first floors with moulded cornices; dormer and attic windows of
two and three-lights. Side stacks rebuilt or party rebuilt with red brick
octagonal shafts. (C18 print). Interior: Late C15 painted plank and muntin
partition rebuilt as internal porch in south range. Late C16 panelling, much
resited, in great hall and chambers of north range (with C16 tapestries
temporarily removed R.C.H.M. report) and long gallery with original
fireplaces; of note the late C16 fireplace to the hall with Ionic pilasters
flanking four-centred moulded stone arch with three bay overmantel frieze and
panels divided by short Ionic pilasters and consoles with acanthus decoration.
Late C16 stair turret with solid oak steps and central newel; in attic of
stair turret and within the north wall of the south range a priests hole;
(three other priest holes in south and east ranges). Staircase in east range
late Cl rebuilt in C19 Jacobean style. C16 kitchen in west wing with two
hearths, one with a baking oven. Late C17 or early C18 bolection moulded
panelling of two heights in north-east room; door frames in staircase hall
and C18 vaulted cellar. Early to mid C18 panelling, doors and chimney piece
to north west chamber. Chapel with late C18 internal head-stopped drip
moulds, floor, and marble altar, C19 plaster imitation linen-fold panelling
and stained glass including one to John Digby recently sanctified; balustered
gallery to priest's room in east range at mezzanine level with guardrobe and
priest's hole above. Some C18 doors and architraves; mid C19 doors and
fittings, internal partitions, rear passage and service rooms to north range.
The hall remained in the ownership of the Huddleston family till c.1975 when
it was sold to The Cambridge Centre for Languages; during the second world
war it was the operational headquarters of the 66th Fighter Wing of the 2nd
and 8th Air Force.
R.C.H.M. Report 1951
V.C.H., Vol. VI, p.
Tevershams History of Sawston
Country Life. June 10, 17, 24 1954
Pevsner. Buildings of England

Listing NGR: TL4884249137

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

53058

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Salzman, L F, The Victoria History of the County of Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely, (1978)
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Cambridgeshire, (1954)
Teversham, , History of Sawston, ()
Country Life in 10 June, (1954)
Country Life in 17 June, (1954)
Country Life in 24 June, (1954)

Other
Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, Part 5 Cambridgeshire,

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