TQ 53 NW SPELDHURST FORDCOMBE ROAD (off), ASHURST PARK 7/481 Fernchase Manor (Ashurst Place on O.S.) 25.4.90 II Large house. Early C19 with later C19 reglazing. Stuccoed with slate roofs; stacks with rendered shafts. Plan: The house, set in parkland, faces south west. Approximately rectangular plan with a double depth main block in the centre, flanked by symmetrical pavilions projecting to the front with a portico between. Central entrance into a large stair hall, principal rooms to left and right heated by end stacks. Single-storey block at the right end (possibly a later addition) with a second entrance on the right end. 2 blocks adjoining at the left end. Exterior: Main block 3 storeys, pavilions 2 storeys, right end block single storey; left end blocks 2 and 3 storeys. Hipped slate roof to left end block, other roofs concealed behind parapets. Chimneyshafts with moulded cornices, some retaining original C19 chimneypots. The central part of the house is symmetrical 3:5:3 bays, the 3-bay pavilions to left and right canted, the 7- bay Tuscan portico across the front with the outer bays angled towards. the pavilions. The 5-bay block has pilasters to left and right and flanking the entrance bay, a moulded band at second floor level and below the parapet which has a moulded cornice carried on fluted moulded brackets. The parapet is crowned with a swan-necked pediment on a bracketted base. The pediment, with an obelisk finial, is carved with a Renaissance grotesque. Ground and first floor windows are tall 2-pane plate glass sashes with moulded architraves and rectangular panels over. The first floor windows have shouldered architraves. Second floor windows have eared architraves. The portico has 3 steps up; a moulded entablature crowned with urns with scrolled supports. Pilasters to each bay of the ground floor of the centre block have moulded capitals and acanthus consoles supporting plastered beams to the columns. The flat roof of the portico is top-lit with circular lights with moulded plaster cornices. The canted pavilions have moulded cornices below the parapets, which have sections of balustrading. Moulded bands at first floor level and above the first floor windows. Ground floor windows with moulded architraves, and floating cornices, glazed with tall 2-pane plate glass sashes, the centre window of the right hand pavilion converted to a French window. The first floor windows have moulded architraves and baluster-shaped aprons and are similarly glazed. The single-storey right end block, slightly set back to the right is 4 bays, the narrower right hand bay blind, divided by pilasters with sunk mouldings and moulded capitals and bases; deep projecting cornice below the parapet. Segmental-headed windows with moulded architraves and facetted keyblocks, glazed with tall 2-pane plate glass sashes. On the right return a Tuscan portico with a blocked doorway and balustrades to each side. 2 adjoining 2-bay blocks at the left end, the far left end block 3 storeys, the other 2 storeys. Both have moulded bands at first floor level and above the first floor windows. Ground and first floor windows with moulded architraves and aprons, glazed with 2-pane plate glass-sashes, ground floor window left a C20 replacement. The 2-storey block has a moulded cornice below the parapet. The left hand block has 3 small first floor windows with a common sill on brackets and deep eaves carried on moulded brackets. The rear elevation is a plainer version of the front with a central single-storey bay with tall windows, the bays divided by pilasters surmounted by urns. Garden pavilion attached at rear left with a 3-bay east front with panelled piers and a central round-headed arch, moulded imposts, a keyblock and pediment over. The bays each side have stone balustrades and a parapet with urns. Interior: Not inspected but said to be well-preserved. Listing NGR: TQ5318939424