Sheridan, Great Missenden

Sheridan Grimms Hill Great Missenden Buckinghamshire HP16 9BG

Building

Roofed and walled permanent structures.

Asset type

Purpose built house.

Age

Circa 1908.

Rarity

One of 6 remaining ‘Arts & Crafts’ houses appear the top corner of Grimms Hill originally created by Edwardian entrepreneur Alfred Dunhill upon an estate founded by another influential upmarket shop owner of the period, Arthur Lasenby Liberty. Also, has one of the largest plots in the road of about 1.8 acres. In recent times, there has been at unfortunate trend in some of the houses being relatively in comparison to their plot size being redeveloped for substantial modern houses of no architectural merit. Should the Church of England ever choose to sell the house, could put this one at risk.

Architectural and Artistic Interest

High, with later extensions of which a small 1970’s to the left-hand side & a much large one of around 1930 to the rear. The house is constructed out of brick, under a tiled roof. Front door appears original. Wooden with inset leaded-glass panel & wooden window immediately adjoins to the left. To the left of this is a 2 storey section of the house which appears original, yet design is distinct from the rest. It is likely this was originally for a different purpose such as a studio, billiards room or motor house. There is a large window to the ground floor & another to the first-floor. This part of the house is roughcast, painted cream, although there is also so half-timbering incorporated into the design at first-floor level. Hipped roof to the top, with mansard type roof finish to both sides. There are 2 more windows to the ground floor, at the front, a larger one on the right of the door & a small porthole window further across. The remainder of the facade is composed of a large gable at first-floor level, which is tile-hung predominantly in plain tiles. There are 2 windows at first-floor level with decorative tiles between, joined at the bottom & top by extensions of the window frame & sill. The top of this feature is curved & there is a little projection of tiles above level with the roof space. Windows are virtually all replacement plastic ones. Roof retiled with modern tiles & a couple of original chimneys can be seen.

Group Value

Located on Grimms Hill, originally a spacious & high quality estate of the early C20th, envisaged by Arthur Lasenby-Liberty who founded London department store Liberty & Co. There are some other ‘Arts & Crafts’ houses of significant architectural merit within the road, of which Tyseley is immediately next door.

Historic Interest

One of the original early C20th century houses on Grimms Hill, which exemplifies the Garden Suburb Movement in the development of Great Missenden after the arrival of the Railway. Sheridan, since 1961, has served as the residence of the Bishop of Buckingham.

Landmark Status

Low, although when built these houses - before the trees grew up - where clearly visible up on the hillside.

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20 Mar 2023