Listed Building: HEMPNALLS HALL (281611)

COTTON WILLOW LANE (off) TM 06 NE 2/26 Hempnalls Hall 29.7.55 GV II Manor house. Late C16; small C18 rear wing, replacing an earlier range to the west which ante-dated the existing main range. Restored 1980's. Timber framed, mainly plastered, the front with panelled plasterwork of 1980's. Fine C16 crowstepped red brick gable end to right. Plaintiled roof. 2 storeys and attic; 1½-storey rear wing. 3 windows, 4-light casements with mid C20 square- leaded glass. Between the upper windows, 2 original windows with ovolo- moulded mullions. Central late C18 doorway: reeded architrave with corner squares (once adorned with masks), broken entablature and open dentilled pediment enclosing semi-circular fanlight with glazing bars. Old door with 6 fielded panels. 3 gabled dormers. C16 gable end has paired windows at 3 levels, those to the upper floors blocked. Integral stack with 2 detached octagonal shafts on moulded bases. A further stack to rear has oblong base and 3 square shafts set diamondwise. Left gable end is of later date, the house probably once extending further: ground floor has brickwork of c.1700 and an original ovolo doorframe, re-positioned from elsewhere. Interior. 2 fine stone fireplaces have moulded 4-centred arches and shield-carved spandrels; fireplace in parlour has one shield inscribed 'EC' (for Elizabeth Clare) and dated 1636. A stuccoed attic fireplace. An elaborately-carved Flemish fireplace in an upper room was inserted in 1980's. One ovolo service doorway, a blocked front cross-entry doorway and an upper doorway to the earlier wing (now lost). Much original or early C17 internal panelling was removed in early C20; a little remains. One bay of hall ceiling removed to accommodate a 1980's well stair. Roof has 2 rows of butt purlins. Surrounding medieval moat. Listing NGR: TM0806467554