Listed Building: RUSHMERE HALL (282070)

RUSHMERE TM 48 NE 2/41 Rushmere Hall - II* Farmhouse. Late C16 with C18 and C19 additions. The main range is red brick with a roof of mid C20 concrete pantiles. 2 storeys and attics. There are 3 bays, the left hand bay being an C18 addition in matching style. The brickwork at the quoins is set forward and there is a string course at first floor level. Sash windows with glazing bars under flat or slightly cambered brick arches. The windows in the earlier part are set within the original larger openings which have moulded brick pediments. Doorway with inset 6- panel door, pilasters and cornice; original moulded brick pediment above. To the right of the doorway is evidence for a smaller blocked window. Crowstepped gable ends with terracotta pinnacles. The earlier gable end to the right has a single window opening on each floor, with string courses between; the pediments over the windows retain some original stucco render. The attic window is full size and appears to be partly original. The late C16 range was heated by a single stack against the rear wall: there are 2 fine octagonal shafts with moulded brick bases and star caps. At the rear of the later end of the main range is a late C18 2-storey brick wing, partly colourwashed. There is a fine original newel staircase, about 1.5m wide, within a square timber framed and plastered partition with some moulded components; the stair extends to attic level. Apart from the staircase, the late C16 range comprises only a single chamber at ground and first floor levels. Both these rooms have cross-beamed ceilings with double convex mouldings and ornate stop-chamfers, and similarly moulded cornices on 2 sides. The ground floor room has a shallow-arched brick fireplace. There are 2 good heavy moulded doorframes on the ground floor, one with an original door; the entrances to the staircase and cellar are also moulded. The unusual form of this range suggests it was built onto an existing house, and possibly intended as the first phase of a larger building. Listing NGR: TM4924587330