Staverton Hunting Lodge

Description

(SO 88952359). A Royal hunting lodge is said to have existed at the Old Manor, which dates from the C15th, with C16th/C17th and later additions. It contains a fire-place surmounted by the Royal arms and monogram of Charles I. (PastScape citing Listed Building Report of 1948 and VCH)

The oldest surviving house in the village is a timber-framed house, next to the church, called the Old Manor, although it is apparently not a manor-house. The house has traditions of ecclesiastical connexions, and it is possible that it was at one time the vicarage. In the mid-19th century the house was converted to two cottages, and in 1964 it was being restored as a single house. It has an L-shaped plan, brick and plaster filling, and a tiled roof. The older, 15th century part of the house is two-storied, of three bays, with a jettied gable at the north end, containing later quadrant timbering. The timbers are close set and the plaster filling has been largely replaced with brick. The house was extended in the 16th or 17th century by the addition of a two-storied wing with a jettied gable across the south end. Later additions to the house included a brick entrance hall and porch. The royal arms and the monogram of Charles I surmount a large open fireplace in the house, and the remains of similar arms survive over another fireplace (The tradition that Charles I stayed at the house has not been substantiated). (VCH)

Comments

Supposed to be a possible C15 Royal Hunting Lodge. Nothing in the relevant volume of the VCH suggests a royal manor here and this is not mentioned in the History of the Kings Works. Probably a fanciful invention designed to give kudos to a later house.