Description

SO 76 NW ABBERLEY CP ABBERLEY PARK

2/16 Abberley Hall (that part
in Abberley CP)

18.6.76

GV II*

Country house, now a private school. Probably incorporating part of an early
C18 house, enlarged and extensively remodelled in early 1840s (designed 1837,
completed 1844/45) by S W Daukes of Gloucester for J L Moilliet; remodelled
soon after completion, altered 1880s. Ashlar, hipped and mansard slate roof
set back behind balustraded parapet with urns on pedestals, and moulded
eaves cornice. In a severe Italianate style and L-plan with projecting wing
at right and service wing beyond. 2 storeys, basement and attics. The
centre of the house has 5 bays with large glazing bar sash windows which are
recessed on the ground floor and under semi-circular flat shell heads with
keystone; the first floor windows have moulded and shouldered architraves and
small engaged balustrades. Moulded string course and rusticated end quoins.
Central projecting, ashlar porch with triglyph frieze and round-headed door-
way. Projecting porte-cochere (c1883) with paired Roman Doric columns on
pedestals, triglyph frieze, parapet and central cartouche of arms. At the
left is 3-window section with one on the ground floor. At the right is a
single bay with narrow round-headed lights; and a 4-stage tower of 2 bays,
chanelled rustication on ground floor with semi-circular headed recesses around
the windows and windows in architraves above, all large pane sashes, tripartite
on top stage, French quoins, moulded eaves cornice and moulded string on
second stage. Projecting wing at right (1880s, formerly a billiard room)
of 4 bays with fenestration similar to main block and panelled door at left.
Tall 4-storey service wing of brick and render, set back at far right; 5 bays
to west elevation with glazing bar sash windows under segmental heads; semi-
circular stair-tower with squat conical roof attached by a wall at the north-
west corner. The garden elevation has an Ionic veranda of 3:5:3 bays, the
central being slightly advanced. Interior Important contemporary interiors
in entrance hall, staircase hall, drawing room, library, morning room (study)
and smoking room. Headmaster's study: painted and moulded plaster ceiling,
embossed frieze, all in a neo-classical style, brass and tiled fireplace
in elaborate wooden surround and overmantel of 1880s. Entrance Hall Coffered
ceiling with enriched beams; deep frieze with painted depiction of Worcester-
shire crafts between the arcade on the inner wall; screen at entrance end and
towards wall, of scagliola Ionic columns; Jacobean style fire surrounds and
brass and tiled chimney pieces. Staircase Hall Cantilever staircase with
brass balustrade and moulded handrail. Coffered ceiling with enriched beams
and painted fans in the panels. Painted frieze of putti and rustic scenes.
Dining Room Decorative panelled plaster ceiling with central octagonal design,
decorative frieze and cornice, elaborate fireplace with overmantel and brass
side lights. Drawing Room Large sub-oval centre to ceiling with heavenly
enrichment, coffered surround and cornice. Elaborate window pelmets with
acanthus embellishment and central pediments. Greek revival style ebony,
gilt and stained wood fire surround and overmantel and other contemporary
fittings, including built-in sideboard, wall lights and mirrors, all in the same
style. Library Painted ceiling with large circular centre and sunken spandrels;
frieze of painted paper with bay leaf staffs; brass and marbel fireplace and
elaborate mahogony surround and overmantel flanked by twin Doric style columns
which support a triple pediment on brackets; inbuilt bookcases with brass open-
work to the doors. Most of the doors are heavily moulded and in enriched archi-
traves. (D Verey, CL, 6.12.73). This house is partly in the Civil Parish of
Great Witley (qv)

Listing NGR: SO7449666437

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Abberley Hall at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q4663926

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
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  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide