L'Abri, Mont Rossignol
Historic Jersey buildings
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Property name
L'Abri
Other names
- L'Abri Cottage
- Pre L’Abri, developed from outbuildings. Subject of a planning application for an extension in 2019 (approved) and an appeal by a neighbour in 2020 (rejected).
Location
Mont Rossignol, St Ouen
Historic Environment Record entry
Listed building
17th century origins, incorporating earlier features. Particularly important elements are the reused features brought from L'Amiral, and the very rare Tudor-style limestone fireplace. The traditional well-head to the south is also a significant feature.
Shown on the Richmond Map of 1795.
17th century with 19th century alterations, and incorporating earlier fabric. The existence of the limestone fireplace (if original and in correct context) is unique to this house, as no others have been found at ground level (it is said by the present owner to have been only recently uncovered so does not belong to the recent upgrade that introduced reused items from L'Amiral). It has a chamfer with a vase stop and is similar in appearance to a fireplace in Mont Orgueil castle where a Tudor context is less surprising.
Main house (L'Abri) with L-shaped cottage (L'Abri Cottage) with a traditional well-head to south. Later extensions / conservatory, and stable block west of the main house.
Main house: 2 storey, 5 bay. Front (south) elevation: slate roof with 3 Gothic-gabled dormers, brick chimneys. Random stone construction with rough dressed openings and a traditional arched entrance (the arch is said to have come from L'Amiral a ruined house that still stood circa 1960 only yards to the south, see Stevens, J illustration 51, page 113) - it is chamfered with a simple stop and was originally composed of the usual 9 stones but has been slightly heightened by 2 extra, its keystone is of a type of friable stone mainly found in late medieval contexts and probably once came from an earlier arch as the rest of this arch appears to date to circa 1600. Planked timber door.
L-shaped cottage (south of the main house): slate roof with tilt-lights and brick chimneys, painted random-stone construction with part rough render finish. Traditional Jersey well-head of unknown date, probably 18th century, granite rubble, roughly circular on plan, capped by granite slab with square doorway in side. Central entrance. Ground floor east room has a stone fireplace that has been reconstructed in recent times, it has a 17th century corbel on one side and on the other a stone with a carved mournful face reused as a corbel (seen in Stevens, J. illustration no 52, page 114, in which context it appears as a medieval chamfer stop). There is also an early 18th century chamfered beam with joists morticed in. The ground floor west room has a 19th century unchamfered beam, its joists are morticed in. There is an unusual limestone fireplace, chamfered with a vase stop and gabled front elevation with an integral stone moulded sill circa 1500.
