NHER 2112 (Building record) - Wolterton Manor House

Built by Fermor around 1520-1530, restored between 1920 and 1938. Gatehouse is two-storeyed with polygonal buttresses, closely panelled. Stone jambs to arch continued by terracotta or brick ogee head. Royal arms above carved out of brickwork, griffin and lion supporters (post-1527). Three light window above arch; battlements and pinnacles. Similar arch towards house. Projecting chimneybreast on east shows the gatehouse was always freestanding. Part of garden of wall survives. House itself has façade with battlements and 8 polygonal buttresses with finials. Moulded brick friezes. Entrance porch with flint and stone chequered buttresses, stone arch and window which (S1) considers might be older, reused (not seen) and royal arms again carved in brick, griffin and greyhound supporters (pre-1527) - so gatehouse appears to be slightly later than house. East of entrance is a three-storeyed tower - was there another to the west? On the west is the Hall with large bay window, and beyond angle buttresses containing garderobe shaft. Group of ten chimneystacks each of differing type. Much of the west end is recent; east wall has been altered.
Interiors: (S1) notes original entrance arch and fireplace in hall, four centred arches and Jacobean chimneypiece in other rooms, brick vaulting in tower rooms.
E. Rose (NAU), October 1979.

Print by Repton shows that all of wing west of entrance was gone in his day. Only the ruined angle pilaster standing on its own. Three-storey tower to east joined with entrance by single-storey link. East of tower, two storeys and angle turret-pilaster.
E. Rose (NAU), 25 October 1982.

c.1525 (Gatehouse alone scheduled). Remainder listed Grade I.
For file.
E. Rose (NLA).

26 August 1997. NLA air photography.
Hall and gatehouse visible.
H. Clare (NLA), 29 March 2001.