Orford House (EHER 36686)

Late 17th to early 18th century red brick house built by the First Earl of Orford.

2009. Building survey and watching brief. Orford House is an imposing Grade II Listed building thought to have been built in 1699 by Admiral Edward Russell (the younger brother of William Russell, the 1st Duke of Bedford) when he was given the title Lord Orford in that year. The property is exactly half way between his two residences in London and Chippenham Park near Newmarket. The original layout can still be traced, although from the outside, almost entirely obscured. Within the house a number of original features were recorded as well as impressive mouldings, staircase, ceilings and fireplaces added as new owners entered the house, keen to make their own impressions and statements. One of the rooms on the ground floor boasts an impressive asymmetrical Rococo design plasterwork ceiling and a moulded wooden fire surround with a carved Palladian lintel with mask and swags, which have been attributed by historians to the designer William Kent. The layout of an impressive Dutch Garden also survives, although somewhat overgrown. A number of phases of alteration and building were identified during the survey, many of which could be attributed to new owners, the most extensive alterations took place in the mid 18th and late 19th century. Some evidence survives which indicates an earlier date for the house than originally thought including a dated cast iron fireback from 1645. The survey included Orford House itself along with the Coachman's Cottage to the rear and a substantial two-phase timber barn dating to the 17th and 18th centuries . Other buildings associated with the house and estate were also briefly recorded as part of the group including a dovecote and granary. As part of the brief, an archaeological watching brief was also required on any groundworks taking place – this was mostly carried out in December 2008. During the excavations of the foundations for proposed garages at the rear of the Coachman's Cottage and on the land between Orford House and the barn, an archaeologist was on site to monitor the work. The area behind the Coachman's Cottage was the only area where features were revealed. The area was stripped and the ditches investigated which appeared to be associated with the Dutch Garden and were dated to 19th century by pottery, brick and slate found within the fill. <1> See: <2>