Abbey Guest House |
| Hob Uid: 238236 | |
Location :
Oxfordshire
South Oxfordshire
Dorchester
|
| Grid Ref : SU5786094340 |
| Summary : Guest house of the Augustinian Abbey (SU59SE32). The building is at the west end of the abbey church, between the the church and High Street. Beyond the fact that the cloister and main monastic buildings were on the north side of the church, nothing is known about the layout of the Abbey and this is apparently the only building to survive. The earliest part of the Abbey Guest House is the front (south) wall, which is of limestone rubble with the remains of two 15th century windows. The building of which this was a part was of uncertain length but appears to have been longer, continuing further to the east and west. Behind this facade is a structurally independent timber-framed building of early 16th century date. It is of three bays, with large square framing and is jettied to the rear. The framing has brick and plaster infill and the roof is of old plain-tiles. In 1652 the building was converted into a grammar school and house for the school master by Sir John Fettiplace. It was probably at this date that a long, high window was inserted into the rear wall at ground floor level. Possibly at this date also, windows with hood moulds were inserted into the front wall. There have been further changes to the fenestration and in the 18th century two stacks were inserted. The building is now used as a museum and tea room. |
More information : (SU 57869434)Primary School (NAT) (1)
II School House
Part C.15. School founded by Sir J.Fettiplace 1652. 2 storey,
of rubble stone; includes remains of monastic building. The
South front has a plain door to L.H. between 2 C.17 leaded
casements on ground floor, with similar upper casement and C.18
sash window. Tall brick chimney with offset head. Old tile roof.
The ground floor windows have stone drip moulds. The R.H. part
has a blocked C.15 upper stone mullioned window with arched
cuped heads to lights to L.H., and remains of similar windows
in R.H. corner with part of arched stone doorway below. A later
casement inserted between these windows.
The remainder of the structure is timber frame, probably C.16,
with brick infilling, the upper part at back oversailing on
curved brackets supports and with irregular leaded casements. (2)
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