Baylis House

Story

Baylis House is a Grade I listed building currently operating as a hotel and business centre in Slough, Berkshire, England. It is representative of the plain Dutch style that was popular in England after post-Civil war restoration of the English monarchy in 1660.Little is known of the original building that stood on the site of the current house. In the 16th century it was recorded as the 'manor of Bailis'. It formed part of the estate of Abraham Sybells's at his death in 1501. The house, which was also known as "Whitmarsh" was excepted from a 1689 settlement between Dr. Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Robert Gayer and sold to Dr. Gregory Hascard, who had become Dean of Windsor in 1684.Hascard rebuilt the house at the end of the 17th century. The designer is uncertain, but is likely to have been John James of Greenwich, Sir Christopher Wren or Hascard himself. The doctor owned Baylis House from the date of its completion in 1696 to his death in 1708 when Dr Henry Godolphin took ownership.John James added a third storey in 1726 for Thomas Rowland, the Clerk of works to Windsor Castle. James continued extension and alteration work throughout the following decade, especially from 1733 to 1735 when Dr. Henry Godolphin, brother of Sidney Godolphin (Queen Anne's Lord High Treasurer) took ownership. He is credited with building the east wing stable block. The latter is now Godolphin Court, which has also been designated a Grade I listed building.