Building record MDR2740 - Southsitch House, Wirksworth Road, Idridgehay
Type and Period (1)
- TIMBER FRAMED HOUSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
Southsitch House, Idgridgehay. (1)
Southsitch House is dated 1621 but is quite probably older. The house has exposed posts and part timber framing and a thatched roof. A very rare example of a timber framed house in this part of England. (2)
Southsitch is "an uncommonly good timber-framed house ….." (3)
A private residence which is in very good condition with an addition to the north-east dated 1842. See GP's AO/66/7/5 & 6. (4)
South Sitch House is dated 1621 but there is evidence of an earlier house within, and with additions in 1842. It has a close studded timber framed main range, rising from a stone plinth, with an off-centre brick ridge intermediate chimney stack and a gabled thatched roof with a scalloped ridge. It has a two bay front with angle braces to the centre and ends at first floor level. The north west end of the ground floor is single storey 20th century bay with a thatched roof and at the south east end there is a 20th century glazed conservatory. The 19th century gabled open porch has an off-centre doorway, with a four-centred arched head and thatched roof. There is an Oak door with gothic glazing to the upper part within the porch. The gable has a slightly cambered tie beam and angle braces from a joweled corner post. The beam has the date 1621 and initials of George and Millicent Mellor carved in it. There is a roughcast two storeyed wing to the north east, dated 1842, with a stone slated roof and gabled porch bearing the date on a four-centred arched lintel. Inside there is much exposed timber framing, with substantial ceiling spine beams and joists. A good 17th century stone hearth exists in the corner at the north west end. There is a Newel staircase and a timber framed smoke hood to attic. (5)
A small timber framed gentleman's house, L-shaped, two storeys, and attractive close-studding under a thatched roof. The main block bears the inscription G(eorge and) M(illicent) M(ellor) 1621, but it is quite possibly older. The Mellors inherited the estate in the 15th century from the heiress of Haye and held it consistently until the early 19th century. (6)
Southsitch is a miraculous survival of a small hall house. It took on its present form in 1621 but the date (on the fabric) represents a fairly major renewal rather than the building of a fresh house. The south front, which is of two storeys and attics, is of three bays, timber-framed and close-studded. The entrance is slightly to the right of the centre, east of the central hearth place which is later (and unusually) encased in timber framing. The well-preserved interior contains traces of the original open hall house, occupying the west two bays, with later apartments to the east. (7)
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SDR11765 Map: Ordnance Survey (OS). 1955. 6".
- <2> SDR9042 Bibliographic reference: MHLG Typescript List of Bldgs 1917/11/A (1959) 22.
- <3> SDR190 Bibliographic reference: Pevsner, N. 1953. The Buildings of England: Derbyshire, 1st edition. p 164.
- <4> SDR6106 Personal Observation: F1 BHS 18-JUL-66.
- <5> SDR19551 Listed Building File: Historic England. 2011. The National Heritage List for England. List entry number 1109057.
- <6> SDR4305 Bibliographic reference: Craven, M & Stanley, M. 1982. The Derbyshire Country House, Volume I. p 62.
- <7> SDR4297 Bibliographic reference: Craven, M & Stanley, M. 1991. The Derbyshire Country House. pp 189-90.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 2881 4871 (20m by 24m) (Centre) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | IDRIDGEHAY AND ALTON, AMBER VALLEY, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
- EDR1211
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External Links (0)
Record last edited
Jan 21 2014 10:16AM