Description

TOGSTON NORTH TOGSTON NU 20 SE 8/215 Togston Hall (Northern Area 31/12/69 Office of British Coal Opencast Executive) GV II*

House. Oldest part probably a C16 bastle (re-set '1546' datestone); remodelling and addition of stair-wing probably dated by doorhead inscribed S 16 T F 85; east range added mid-C18; major additions in late C18 with new front block, perhaps by William Newton, and west extension to bastle; some alterations in early C20. C16/17 parts large irregular rubble with roughly- shaped quoins; east range and west extension squared stone; front block ashlar except for roughly-squared stone on east. Welsh slate roofs with stacks rebuilt in brick. Irregular H-plan; original house, with east range and west extension,forms north cross-wing, with stair and kitchen in centrepiece and front block with main reception rooms as south cross-wing.

South elevation: Front block 2 storeys, 5 bays, symmetrical. Plinth, sill and 1st floor bands. 2 steps up to central old part-glazed door in surround with attached columns and pediment; 12-pane sash windows. Moulded eaves cornice carried as open pediment over centre bay. Hipped roof with 2 ridge stacks rebuilt on old bases. Set back to right, behind garden wall is 3-bay east range: C20 porch on far left to doorway with re-set '1546' lintel; boarded door and sash windows with glazing bars. Coped right end gable and end stack.

Right return has similar sashes,some renewed, one trompe l'oeil. Left return similar to south front (except for 1 trompe l'oeil). Set back left stair wing has Venetian window with intersecting head. Projecting far left bay is west extension of bastle with plinth, late C18 sashes, moulded eaves cornice and hipped roof; on right return are bastle end quoins and blocked 1st floor slit.

Rear elevation: Right part is original bastle with boulder plinth, short west extension and projecting stair wing; to left of wing 12-pane sashes under timber lintels, and a blocked slit at mid-height; to right are bastle end quoins. Wing has C18 windows, coped gable with moulded kneelers and a small apex stack; chamfered lights on returns, 2 blocked. Left part is rear of east range, with casements.

Interior: Front entrance hall has moulded cornice and Venetian screen to stair; ground-floor rooms have corniced door surrounds, C19 marble fireplaces and enriched cornices - east room with harebell pattern, west room with fluting and dentils. Dog-leg open-string stair with stick balusters, ramped moulded handrail and newels. Original fireplaces in bedrooms. Fielded-panel doors and shutters throughout. Twin segmental-arched fireplaces in former kitchen. Extensive cellars with brick segmental vaults under front block. Older rear part: Bastle has metre-thick walls and central C17 door on south with inscribed lintel, now a cupboard. Segmental-arched fireplace on ground floor; C18 fireplaces and old beams on 1st floor; 4-bay upper-cruck roof with collars and 2 levels of purlins. C18 or early C19 wrought-iron grates in all fireplaces.

Historical note: The house belonged to the Smith family from the early C17 until the C19; a medieval tower a little to the north-west was demolished in 1820.

Listing NGR: NU2517102635

External Links

• Wikidata Q17545923

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)