Harvington Hall and Attached East Bridge

Details

CHADDESLEY CORBETT CP HARVINGTON SO 87 SE 10/28 Harvington Hall and attached east bridge 25.2.58 GV I Country house and bridge. Probably C14, substantially remodelled late C16/ early C17, partly demolished c1701 with some remodelling, restored 1930. Brick with stone dressings, incorporating timber-framing; tile roof. Basically an L-plan, one limb extending to north, the other to west. The north limb contains a medieval timber-framed range of four bays, with north tower of C17 date, at south end a late C16 to early C17 block. The range to west is late C16 to early C17 comprising a first floor "banqueting hall", with kitchen to south-west corner, main staircase to north-west; a hall probably extended northwards from the staircase, demolished c1701. Entrance (east) front: two-storey range to centre, three-storey blocks to each corner, that to left with attic. Left-hand block: a 4-light stone mullioned window to each floor, gable to attic, stack with two diamond-plan shafts to left. Central block: five windows, three 2-light casements alternate with two 4- light casements under gablets; similar pattern on ground floor, save large window to right of centre which is the entrance, with two large doors (approached by east bridge). Right-hand block: a 3-light casement to each floor under timber lintels; to left-hand side windows at half level for staircase, including an oval window. On ground floor a boxed glazing bar sash under segmental head. Detailing of rest of building similar to left- hand block, save elevation to courtyard of west limb which is ashlared where the probable hall range stood, dated by "1701" on rainwater head. Interior: extensive traces of an ambitious scheme of wall painting of late C16 to early C17, including the Nine Worthies in a second floor passage. The main staircase is a 1930s replica of the original, which was removed to Coughton Court, Warwickshire. In the banqueting hall there are remnants of later C17 panelling with elaborate painted decoration. The house contains one of the best known collections of priests' hiding holes; in particular, one contrived under the main staircase, entered via hinged steps; and that in Dr Dod's Library, entered via a hole, created by swinging a stud. East Bridge: a single segmental brick arch supports the plain ashlar parapets. The island on which the house stands [along with the Malt House (qv) and the chapel (qv)] is surrounded by a water-filled moat. Scheduled as an Ancient Monument. (BoE, p 192-194; Hodgkinson, H R: "Recent Discoveries at Harvington Hall, Chaddesley Corbett", Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society, Vol 62 for 1938 (1943), pp 1 - 26; Hodgetts, M: "Elizabethan Priest Holes: IV - Harvington", Recusant History, Vol 13 (1975), p 18 - 55; Hussey, C & Hodgetts, M: Harvington Hall near Kidderminster, Worcestershire, (1981); Hodgetts, M: "Harvington Hall 1929 - 1979: A Study in Local Historiography", Worcestershire Recusant, Vol 37 (1981), pp 3 - 25).

Listing NGR: SO8775374435

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

157015

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Hussey, , Hodgetts, , Harvington Hall near Kidderminster Worcestershire, (1981)
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Worcestershire, (1968), 192-194
Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society in Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society, Vol. 62, (1943), 1-26
Hodgetts, M, Recusant History in Elizabethan Priest Holes Harvington, Vol. 13, (1975), 18-55
Hodgetts, M, Worcestershire Recusant in Harvington Hall 1929-1979 A Study In Local Historiography, Vol. 37, (1981), 3-25

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