Wickham Bishops Bishops Palace

Description

Wickham Hall is an early 18th century building with extensive 19th century alterations. Not outstanding. Set into a steep SW slope and surrounding the house is a complete subrectangular homestead moat, measuring overall 120.0m. NW-SE by 108.0m. transversely. The ditch has an average width of 10.0m and is waterfilled from a spring at the W angle. At the S angle there is an outlet which feeds into a field drain. Access to the island was probably centrally placed in the NW arm on the line of the present drive. No evidence of former occupation can be seen in the garden of the house. (PastScape ref. Field Investigators Comments–F1 GJM 06-SEP-76)

Manor house. C16 or earlier origin with C18 and later alterations and additions. Timber framed and plastered. C18 facade red brick with black headers. Red plain tiled double range main roofs and various hipped roofs to left and rear. 4 red brick chimney stacks, that to valley with attached diagonal shafts. The main range of 2 storeys and attics and 2 gables. Various single and 2 storey ranges to left. Main range with 2 bands, 2 windows to gables, 3 to first floor and 2 to ground floor, all vertically sliding sashes with glazing bars and horns. Central C19 open red tiled porch on timber supports. 2 panelled door with coloured glass margins, moulded surround, frieze and reveal panels. The front single storey left range hipped to left with 2 windows. Interior features include stick staircase and stop chamfered bridging joists. There is a diamond leaded window containing 11 medieval stained glass quarries, 10 depict birds and one a tree. The window is not in-situ but has been recorded since C18. Formerly a palace of the Bishops of London. It is possible that traces of older buildings remain under the present decorations. (Listing report)