Boreham House (EHER 30266)

Country house constructed in 1728 with alterations in around 1812. The house comprises a central two storey block with flanking single storey wings.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. TL 74630915 Boreham House (NAT). <1> Boreham House, built in 1728 for Benjamin Hoare, designed by James Gibbs and executed by Edward Shepherd, with alterations in the 19th century. <2> Boreham House. Designed by James Gibbs and executed by Edward Shepherd for Benjamin Hoare, the owner of New Hall who removed some of the finest fittings from the Hall to his new house. The house had a number of alterations in the early 19th c when Thomas Hopper added the grand carriage entrances to the left and right of the house. (around 1812). The house is built of dark brown brick with stucco dressings and comprises a central block of two storeys, attics and basement and flanking single storey wings with triumphal arched carriage entrances at the north-east and south-west ends. The main block has a moulded and modillioned stucco cornice and a balustraded parapet with ball finials at intervals around the facades. The north-west and south- east facades have 7 window range, arranged 2:3:2. The centre part, of 3 window range, breaks forward slightly and is surmounted by a modillioned pediment with a Diocletian window in the tympanum on the north-west front and 1 large and 2 small flanking circular windows on the south-east front. The north-east and south-west facades have 3 window range. The windows are double-hung sashes with glazing bars, with stucco moulded and shouldered architraves, the ground storey windows have alternate segmental and triangular pediments. On the north-west front there is a large early 19th century tetrastyle Tuscan portico 2 columns deep, with plain columns, cornice and a balustraded parapet. The south-east front has a central pedimented doorway opening on to a flight of balustraded stone steps. The side wings have 3 window range on the north-west front and balustraded parapets with ball finials. The end carriage entrances have central stucco moulded arches and keystones, paired plain Tuscan columns and a balustraded parapet with urns. The interior has two splendid rooms, the entrance hall and the saloon, with elaborate enrichment including pedimented doors and a fireplace with Caryatids. The staircase, with heavy cast iron railings, is early 19th century. <3> Boreham House (name confirmed) is as described externally. The main house and side wings are in good repair, although much alteration and rebuilding has gone on in and around the service yards beyond. The grounds are much reduced in size from those of the original estate, and this former parkland is now under the plough. The grand approach to the front of the house with the canal and tree- lined avenue is in good order, although the original avenue of elms has had to be felled. To the rear the grounds remain landscaped parkland. <4> <5> Photographed <6>