Woodham Mortimer Hall (EHER 7846)

An early 17th century house with a 15th century rear range which has been much altered. The front range is built from red brick and stucco, and the rear range is timber framed and plastered. The roofs are covered in red plain tile.

January 1953. Grade II listed. An early 17th century house with a 15th century rear range which has been much altered. The front range is built from red brick and stucco, and the rear range is timber framed and plastered. The roofs are covered in red plain tile. The building is two storeys with attics. There are four Dutch gable windows with stone coping and a moulded band runs under the stone coping to the parapet. To the left is a two-storey angled bay, and similarly is a two-storey bay to the right which is rectangular and possibly the original porch. Internally, there is dado panelling and moulded door surrounds in the hall. The original two-arm crown post rear roof has been much altered. <1> See photos <2>. A three-storeyed house. The rear block is probably 16th century and timber framed. The front block is brick, was added early in the 17th century and has four curvilinear 'Dutch' gables, one crowning a small projecting bay. At the back, an original brick gable rises above the older block and contains a blocked window of three lights with moulded mullions. Two chimneystacks at the ends of the front block; with modern diagonal shafts. Some old battened doors inside the house. Inside, there are some exposed ceiling-beams and a central purlin in the roof. Also, old battened doors. <3> A 15th century rear range of the hall is much altered. There is a restored mullion in the rear right range, possibly 15th century. Original two-arm crown-post rear roof, much altered. Halved bracing to wall and jowled, chamfered storey posts. Mullion slots visible. Halved and bridled top plate scarfs. The front range is early 17th century. Left and right external and central partly restored large red brick chimneystacks, with attached shafts. Four-light windows, with mullions and transoms. Two original brick windows with central brick mullions. Interior features include panelled dado and moulded door surrounds to hall. An obelisk (EHER 39073) on the opposite of road is dated to 1825, and is in memory of William Alexander of Woodham Mortimer Hall. <4> Pevsner suggests the rectangular projection was probably the original porch. Mullioned and transomed windows have been replaced by sash windows. On the west side, one two-light brick window. Original chimneystacks. <5> An aerial photograph in the EHER shows the hall and other buildings. <6> A timber framed house of 16th century date, with an early 17th century brick front (with distinctive Dutch gables). It was acquired around 1650 by Dr Peter Chamberlen, inventor of the obstetric forceps. Across the road from the house is an obelisk dated 1825, commemorating the bequest of the property to the Coopers company. <7> See also <8>. Site Assessment: In good condition in 1923. <3> A timber framed house of 16th century date, with an early 17th century brick front (with distinctive Dutch gables). It was acquired in around 1650 by Dr Peter Chamberlen, inventor of the obstetric forceps. The house ahs two small walled gardens, one between the house and the road, the other between the house and the church. Neither have any features of particular interest. Across the road from the house is an obelisk dated 1825, commemorating the bequest of the property to the Coopers company. <9>