18th century, Hill House, Great Clacton (EHER 81235)

Hill House appears to date to the early C18, and is apparently shown on the Chapman and Andre map of Essex of 1777. It is said it was originally a farmhouse associated with Pilcrofts Estate in Great Clacton. In the mid-C19, it was bought by Charles Beckwith, the owner of a neighbouring windmill, who then constructed a steam mill next door. This mill still stands. The house is rendered and painted white, with pitched, plain-tiled roofs. The main range is of five bays and two storeys with attics, with stacks at each gable end. To the rear is a lower two-storey, cross-wing that has been extended, and there is a two-storey, flat-roofed extension added within the angle between the main range and cross wing. All windows are modern casements. The rear elevation of the main range is blank, suggesting that windows here have been in-filled. Internally some original and 19th century timber features remain. The building was most recently been used as a care home.

Information from NRHE data transfer. Hill House appears to date to the early 18th century, and is apparently shown on the Chapman and Andre map of Essex of 1777. It is said it was originally a farmhouse associated with Pilcrofts Estate in Great Clacton. In the mid-19th century, it was bought by Charles Beckwith, the owner of a neighbouring windmill, who then constructed a steam mill next door. This mill still stands. The house is rendered and painted white, with pitched, plain-tiled roofs. The main range is of five bays and two storeys with attics, with stacks at each gable end. To the rear is a lower two-storey, cross-wing that has been extended, and there is a two-storey, flat-roofed extension added within the angle between the main range and cross wing. The main, front elevation has a central, pedimented doorcase flanked with two, ground-floor windows to either side and five windows to the first floor, regularly spaced. There are two gabled dormers. The chimneys above either gable end have been truncated and capped. All windows are modern casements, those to the front with top, transom-opening side lights. The rear elevation of the main range is blank, suggesting that windows here have been in-filled. Photographs show wall studs and a post where the partition wall itself has been removed. A substantial, apparently chamfered, beam supports joists, while a second beam appears to be a later insertion. Beyond the removed wall panels there are no beams or joists, and in this section there is a modern glazed door. A further photograph shows an enclosed winder stair and at least three, plain four-panelled doors, probably of late-19th century date. The roofs of both main range and early cross wing have coupled rafters with collars and purlins. Based on the information provided, Hill House, probably an early-18th century farmhouse with later alterations, and latterly extended and converted for use as a care home. *Intactness: the extensions and alterations to the house have severely compromised its plan form and external appearance, and have resulted in the loss of much detail, particularly windows and doors. Hardly any vernacular houses have escaped alteration over time, but incremental changes over time must be of quality and historic interest if they are not to detract from the significance of the building. In this case significant additions and changes have been made in the 20th century, creating a building which is externally substantially modern in appearance. The interior has also clearly been altered and fabric lost; while the capping of chimneys indicates the removal of fireplaces. Although the roofs appear to survive, this is not sufficient to recompense for the loss of other detail, external and internal, and for the evident detrimental changes to the historic plan form. *Architectural interest: the house retains little architectural interest; its appearance has been significantly altered by the insertion of modern windows throughout, the additions to the rear, and the truncating of chimneys. Whilst the house is of local interest for its date, recorded history and association with the neighbouring mill building, unfortunately, due to the extent of alteration it is not of special interest in the national context. <1>