Harlington Manor

English Heritage, in their listing notice, ascribe Harlington Manor to the 16th century, though recent architectural and documentary examination strongly suggests that the house dates, in fact, to the late 14th century and, possibly, to 1396. The Little Parlour contains obviously original, trestle sawn joists. Trestle sawing, as a technique, ceased to be used after the mid-1400s, putting the latest constructional date no later than that time. The house was owned by the Burwell family from around 1500 (the Burwells were early colonisers of Virginia in the New World), but it passed, through intermarriage, to the Wingate family in the early 17th century. It was, the listing notice claims,…

The house is of complex plan, and possesses some fine early 17th-century panelling, as well as four centred Tudor fireplaces, moulded beams and a Tudor foliate boss. There is an unusual modillion cornice adorning the eastern elevation.