Site of 16th to 17th century house and garden, Fremnells (EHER 7591)

The site of a moat and house, now destroyed by the construction of a reservoir.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Two-storied house with attics - walls part plastered timber-frame, part brick, and the roofs are tiled. The house was built about 1670 on an H-plan with crosswings to north and south, and has 'modern' additions on the east side. The house is an interesting example of its period. The cross wings are gabled on the west front, with a similar gable above a central projecting bay. This front has moulded decorative features. Most of the windows are original and there are three original chimneystacks. Inside, the main hall has late 16th century panelling, also one of the rooms of the north wing. A garden enclosure in front of the house lies within a brick wall and is entered between two brick pillars with ball finials. Each pillar has initials and the date 1676. A timber-framed outhouse to the east has heavy beams and probably dates to 17th century. <1> According to Pevsner, the RCHM is mistaken in attributing a date of about 1670, on doubt from the dated gate posts. On stylistic grounds, Pevsner dates the front to 1630-1640, with the house on an E-plan, with the hall bay window in the centre, rather than the porch. The hall entrance lay further to the right. The timber-framed and plastered north side and the rear of the house are dated by Pevsner to mid 16th century, on the basis of the panelling. "It is said that the house is to be submerged by the Hanningfield Reservoir. That would be a thousand pities, as it is the best house of its date in Essex". <2> This structure was destroyed by the construction of the Hanningfield reservoir. This was a moated site. <3> See also: <4>