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Summary

Grade II* listed early 18th century house with many later additions, a Catholic approved school in the mid 20th century and redeveloped as a hotel in the later 20th century

Associated Legal Designations or Protected Status

• Listed Building (II*) 1135957: ST BENEDICT'S SCHOOL AND WOKEFIELD PARK AND WOKEFIELD PARK (ST BENEDICT'S SCHOOL) - ERROR IN NAME (NO LONGER CURRENT)

Other Statuses and Cross-References

• National Monuments Record No.: SU 66 NE 14
  SU 6730 6571 - St Benedict's School
• National Monuments Record No.: SU 66 NE 22
  SU 67 65 - Wokefield Park
• Old Listed Building Ref (pre 1984) (II): Map No 30 18/1B Wokefield Park
  C.18 altered early C.19, probably by Sir John Soane. A large symmetrical composition of three storey central block and wings, linked by two storey sections. Roman cement with raised quoins, cornice above first floor windows, and balustrade above second floor windows except over links where it is over cornice. Slate roof. The central block and links, each of 3 bays, and 2 bays on projecting ends of wings. Each front totals 13 bays. On north and entrance front a Doric stone portico covers ground floor of central block, the columns standing on block bases and supporting entablature with triglyph frieze. 6 panel central door in stone architrave with console brackets and cornice. South front has small square central Doric porch with sides filled in, angle pilasters, entablature and pediment. All windows have architrave surrounds. Stone urns are placed on balustrade between bays. Interior has contemporary fireplaces and early C.18 stair with twisted balusters and moulded handrail. Decoration has been considerably altered C.19.

Monument Type(s):

• COUNTRY HOUSE (18th century to Mid 20th century - 1701 AD? to 1950 AD?)
• BOARDING SCHOOL? (Mid 20th century to Late 20th century - Present - 1936 AD to 1980 AD?)
• JUVENILE PRISON? (Mid 20th century to Cold War - 1936 AD to 1969 AD?)

Full Description

Wokefield Park seems to be the only house of note in the parish according to Pevsner <2> who describes it as a large house, but of at least two periods, the centre of seven bays probably being Early Georgian. Rocque's map <3> marks 'Oakfield House' in this location, showing several elements of designed landscape including avenues, drives and plantations. (This should not be confused with the later house called Oakfield, about 600m to the north.)

The Victoria County History <4> notes the house as the seat of Mr Palmer in 1923. The mansion was listed in 1967 when it was called St Benedict's School <1><8>.

Extracts from a history of the house and park <5> include this information:

In 1839 the mansion was the home of Robert Allfrey; his grandson sold Wokefield Park to Lord Alfred Palmer (of Huntley & Palmer family). In 1936 the house was taken over by the De La Salle Catholic brothers who developed it into a senior boys Approved School; with the passing of the 1969 Children's Act, the establishment transferred to the London Borough of Brent in 1974. The house reached its current design in the early 19th century.

The estate appears to have been refurbished in 1820, and the lake may have been created then. Drainage problems arising from the lake's construction meant that the grounds between the house and lake were continually waterlogged. In 1966 clay was taken from the then being constructed M4, and a raised sports pitch made.

Xerox arrived at Wokefield Park on 01/04/1991. The Executive Centre was built on the site of a disused farm in the early 1990s. In 1996, plans were drawn up for the new extension to the Mansion House; construction started in 1997 and took about 18 months to complete. The golf course was added in 1999. <5>

A local history of Stratfield Mortimer <14> includes information about Wokefield Park. The present building replaced the old Manor House in c 1750 when the park and much of the manor were acquired by the Brocas family of Beaurepaire in Bramley. In 1936 the building became St Benedict's Approved School, leading to development of staff houses and workshops in the grounds, and the addition of a chapel in the house. In 1986 Wokefield Park became a conference centre.

In the 21st century Wokefield Park operates as a hotel and conference venue, forming part of a wider conference and leisure offer within the Wokefield Park site. Substantial extensions added during the late 20th and early 21st centuries are the principal focus of activity and attract significant event and conference income, with the modern additions and also the upper floors of the historic buildings providing guest bedrooms. The application scheme submitted in 2016 aimed to address the factors limiting the prominence of the listed building within the complex, in order to encourage much wider public appreciation of the listed buildings as the heart of the venue <15>. The accommodation wing was the subject of a major fire in November 2015 though this appears not to have affected the historic building.

An aerial photograph from 1952 <17> shows the historic building and park.

Sources and further reading

Related Monuments

Associated Excavations and Fieldwork

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