Little Berkhamstead

An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Hertfordshire. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1910.

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'Little Berkhamstead', in An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Hertfordshire, (London, 1910) pp. 142. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/herts/p142b [accessed 28 March 2024]

In this section

81. LITTLE BERKHAMPSTEAD.

(O.S. 6 in. (a)xxxvi. N.W.; (b)xxxvi. S.W.)

Ecclesiastical

a(1). Parish Church of St. Andrew stands on the W. side of the village. It is almost completely modern; the only visible remains of old work are parts of the E. and W. walls belonging to the church said to have been re-built in 1647.

Fittings—Bells: three; 1st, 1718; 2nd, probably 14th-century; 3rd, 1621. Monuments: in the chancel, floor slabs to John Pendred, 1650: Elizabeth, his wife, 1655: Elizabeth Fleetwood, 1653: Cromwell Fleetwood, 1688. Plate: includes cup and cover paten of 1684; paten of 1701 and a salver of Sheffield plate.

Condition—Good.

Secular

b(2). Homestead Moat, at Woodcock Lodge Farm.

Condition—Fairly good.

a(3). The Gage, a house about ¼ mile W. of the church, consists of a long irregular block running N.E. and S.W., originally of late 16th-century date, but with alterations and additions of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries; it is built of brick and timber, covered with rough-cast; the roofs are tiled. The interior has been much altered, but in the rooms on the ground floor is some good panelling of late 17th-century date.

The Round Tower in the grounds is largely built of 17th-century bricks, but was constructed in the 18th century as an observatory.

Condition—Good.

a(4). The Manor Farm House, of early 17th-century date, stands about 300 yards E. by N. of the church. It is built of plastered timber; the roofs are tiled. The house is of the L type with a parlour and hall in the longer wing, and a kitchen in the shorter wing. The whole building is much repaired and altered both within and without. On the E. is a small projecting open timber porch, of which the sides are set with square moulded balusters, an unusual example of 17th-century work; N. of this is a shallow bay window of two storeys with moulded wooden mullions and transoms. Part of the hall ceiling remains, decorated with roses and octofoiled flowers modelled in low relief.

Condition—Good.