Colebrook Priory

Summary

A house with surviving fabric of possibly the C16 or C17, later re-fronted in probably the C19.

Reasons for Designation

Colebrook Priory, a house of possible C16 or C17 date, refronted in the C19, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:

* for its good quality facade of the early-C19 which survives well;
* for its nature as a timber-framed house of some status as evidenced by the quality of the timber contruction;
* for its overall degree of survival as a house of quality.

Historic interest:

* as a surviving example of a sustantial vernacular dwelling in this area.

History

The building known as Colebrook Priory appears to be shown on the Tithe Map of 1837. There is a pair of L-shaped buildings shown in the location of Colebrook Priory; it is unclear which of these may represent the building now standing on the site, but the L shape may portray the hall and cross wing of the building surviving today. The tithe apportionment lists Mary Booth as the landowner, with John Austin Bampton as the occupier. The plot is described as 'The Homestead, Needle Mill and Meadow Croft'.

It is unclear where the name Colebrook Priory originates from, as there are no known records of an ecclesiastical premises associated with this site. Records which do exist relate largely to the existence of a mill building which no longer survives, although the water management system does at least partially survive, including the large mill pond known as Bampton's Pool opposite the site.

By the time of the First Edition Ordnance Survey the building is depicted largely on the same footprint as it stands today, with the adjacent cottage to the north, and is labelled as Colebrook Priory. Priory Mill is depicted to the north-east with a smaller mill pond adjacent. This arrangement continues through later editions of the Ordnance Survey until 1969, by which time the mill building had been demolished and the smaller mill pond infilled.

Colebrook Priory itself is a residential property of possible late-medieval origin. Fabric which appears to survive in the building may suggest a date of the C16 or C17. The property appears to be a hall and cross wing arrangement, which would be typical of the period. As is usual, the building has seen a degree of alteration both internally and externally over the centuries, most notably an external re-facing. The original timber framed building has been refronted, probably in the early-C19, and re-orientated, with the main entrance now apparently to the side. There is likely to have been a service end on the opposite end from the cross wing, though what survives there today looks to be a rebuilding of possible C19 date.

Details

A house with surviving fabric of possibly the C16 or C17, later re-fronted in probably the C19.

MATERIALS: the original building appears to have been timber framed, and has been later re-fronted and rendered, also with sections of brick walling. It has a tile roof.

PLAN: the apparent hall portion of the building is aligned roughly north-south, with the cross wing at right angles on the southern end. There are later extensions to the north and east.

EXTERIOR: the main front of the building consists of the re-fronted hall and cross wing arrangement, all now rendered. The hall portion has central double doors with margin glazing, flanked by windows on either side at ground and first floor level. The cross wing has a central door at ground floor level and large window above. The smaller wing to the north has a window to each floor. All openings have moulded surrounds and windows appear to be timber casements. There are chimneys at each end of the hall.

The southern elevation is of brick, and contains the main entrance under a projecting timber porch. There are flanking windows and a small window above.

To the rear, the timber frame of the cross wing is exposed and shows large panels with arched braces at roof levels and queen post truss to the gable. Beyond this is a brick rear extension with a row of small gable roofs and some projecting additions at ground floor level. The northern end of the building is largely of brick externally with apparently modern windows.

INTERIOR: the interior of the building appears to retain historic timber framing in the hall and cross wing portion of the building, and despite later subdivision, the relationship between the two remains legible on plan.

The former hall itself appears to retain its timber structure, including a substantial chamfered ceiling beam and timber joists. The large inglenook fireplace appears to contain timber seating to either side, possibly dating from the C19. The cross wing has similar survival of timber structure, and in the now sitting room to the rear there is possible evidence in the ceiling of an opening indicating the location of a ladder stair.

To the upper floor, the substantial roof structure of the cross wing is visible, with curved braces to each end.

Sources

Other
Tithe Map and Apportionments, 1837
Ordnance Survey mapping
Solihull MBC local designation report for Colebrook Priory: DS1587.

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