Survey Data
Reg No
15602053
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Previous Name
Weston Cottage
Original Use
House
In Use As
House
Date
1780 - 1785
Coordinates
291055, 156509
Date Recorded
14/06/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three- or five-bay single-storey over part raised basement house, built 1784, on a U-shaped plan with pair of single-bay (single-bay deep) full-height returns (south). Leased, 1901. Occupied, 1911. Extended, 1913. Sold, 1951. Resold, 1991. Renovated, ----. Replacement hipped artificial slate roof on a U-shaped plan with pitched artificial slate roofs (south), clay ridge tiles, paired red brick Running bond central chimney stacks having corbelled stepped capping supporting yellow terracotta octagonal pots, and uPVC rainwater goods on slightly overhanging slate flagged eaves retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Coursed rubble stone wall to front (north) elevation originally roughcast with cut- or hammered granite flush quoins to corners; roughcast surface finish (remainder). Hipped segmental-headed central door opening approached by flight of seven cut-granite steps, timber mullions supporting timber transom framing timber panelled door having sidelights below overlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and red brick block-and-start surrounds supporting rough hewn granite lintels framing three-over-six (basement) or one-over-one (ground floor) timber sash windows without horns. Square-headed window openings (south) centred on paired square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing three-over-six (basement) or six-over-six (ground floor) timber sash windows centred on four-over-four timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central entrance hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; drawing room (east) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters, Classical-style chimneypiece, and picture railing below plasterwork cornice to ceiling; dining room (west) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters, Classical-style chimneypiece, and picture railing below plasterwork cornice to ceiling; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters. Set in landscaped grounds.
Appraisal
A house representing an important component of the later eighteenth-century domestic built heritage of Bunclody with the architectural value of the composition, one described (1837) as 'the recently erected residence of R. [Richard] West Esquire' (Lewis 1837 II, 437)], confirmed by such attributes as the symmetrical frontage centred on a restrained doorcase; the definition of the principal floor as a slightly elevated "piano nobile"; and the slightly oversailing roofline: meanwhile, aspects of the composition, in particular a weather boarded "pavilion", clearly illustrate the continued development or "improvement" of the house in the early twentieth century. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where contemporary joinery; chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition: however, the partial removal of the surface finish has not had a beneficial impact on the character or integrity of the house. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (extant 1839) continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a neat self-contained ensemble having historic connections with Francis Guilbride JP (1840-1919), 'Master Miller' (NA 1911); George Thomas Lewis (1891-1970; The Meteorological Magazine 1920, 335); and Cecil George Hodson (1900-98).