Listed Building: TUDOR GRANGE (433503)

NETTLESTEAD MAIN ROAD, SOMERSHAM TM 04 NE 6/132 Tudor Grange 9.12.55 G.V. II* Farmhouse, mid C16 with alterations of early C17. A 3-cell H-plan house with cross-passage entrance. 2 storeys and attics. Mainly timber-framed and plastered, partly of red brick. The left-hand cross-wing has high-quality tension-braced close studwork exposed externally; both cross-wings are jettied at 1st and attic floor levels. In early C17 the hall range was rebuilt higher; this and the right hand cross-wing have good C17 brickwork up to a moulded string course at 1st floor level. Plaintiled roofs with lobed C19 bargeboards. Large external C16/C17 chimneys of red brick against both cross- wings. Mainly C19 mullioned and transomed windows. The hall has a C17 14- light mullioned and transomed window of plastered brick; two others, of 4 lights, are in the parlour. The left-hand cross-wing has several C17 ovolo- moulded mullioned wooden windows, one large example at the rear having a transome. Early C17 single-storey brick entrance porch with dentilled eaves course and plaintiled roof; the ellipcical-headed doorway is hood-moulded. The inner cross-passage doorway has a moulded wooden frame and original framed and battened door. A small C16 wing to rear right, of uncertain purpose, has been amalgamated with the C17 work and contains a C17 staircase, with octagonal newels with ball finials and turned balusters. The parlour has a fine C17 Oak overmantel with 3 sunk and enriched arcaded panels between fluted pilasters; the contemporary wainscotting is much restored. In the chamber above is a near-identical overmantel, but in Pine. A nether parlour in the left-hand wing has a good C18 corner cupboard. When the C16 hall was demolished in early C17, its components (some moulded), were used to construct a 2-bay stable and hay-loft 20 metres to the west and attached to a contemporary barn. The house was known as Watering Farmhouse until mid C20. It was in the occupation of the Wingfield family c.1630, who probably carried out the alterations of that date. Listing NGR: TM0829148995