Beeleigh Grange (EHER 38243)

An 18th century and possibly earlier timber framed former farmhouse, now a house. It is part white weatherboarded, part 20th century parget plastered and part brick. The roofs are covered in plain tiles. The house is two storeys and on a very complex plan form. The earliest surviving parts of the building are the remnants of a probably 18th century cottage on a frame of reused medieval timbers. It is originally the site of the former Abbey Farm. The painter Sir Edwin Landseer spent much time here staying with the owner Mr W.H. Simpson.<1>

September 1971. Grade II listed. An 18th century and possibly earlier timber framed former farmhouse, now a house. It is part white weatherboarded, part 20th century parget plastered and part brick. The roofs are covered in plain tiles. The house is two storeys and on a very complex plan form: the main range has unarticulated cross-wings; and there is a parallel block to the rear with a small stair tower and further wing on the north corner. It appears that the earliest surviving parts of the building are remnants of a one-storey-and-attic gambrel-roofed cottage, incorporated in the north-east corner of the front range. This is probably 18th century and has a frame of reused medieval timbers. The main block has the format of a 17th century house but seems to be a very old-fashioned structure with a softwood frame. The cross-wings are contemporary, seemingly all of the 18th century. The north corner block is partially a large kitchen with, on the ground floor, a wide fireplace with arched and keystoned fireplace (such as in Maldon Hall, EHER 38490), a stone-flagged floor and two large spine beams with lambs-tongue chamfers. The interior now has an early 19th century character with a wide, off-centre entrance hall with a semicircular arch on Adamesque capitals over reeded elliptical columns. An access passage to the rear, outside of the main range structure, has a semicircular arch on pilasters with moulded capitals. It is originally the site of the former Abbey Farm. The painter Sir Edwin Landseer spent much time here staying with the owner Mr W.H. Simpson. <1> See photos <2>. 1998-2001. Condition survey. Weatherboarded, red tiled roof, end gables. <3>