Survey Data
Reg No
15700408
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Country house
In Use As
Country house
Date
1830 - 1840
Coordinates
291338, 158676
Date Recorded
28/09/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached five-bay two-storey over part raised basement country house, built 1834-7, on a cruciform plan originally three-bay two-storey on a T-shaped plan centred on single-bay single-storey flat-roofed projecting porch to ground floor; single-bay (single-bay deep) full-height central return (north) on a bowed plan. Leased, 1901. Sold, 1907. Occupied, 1911. Sold, 1948. "Improved", 1951. Sold, 1976. Resold, 1989. Extended, 1991; 1999, producing present composition. Hipped slate roof on a T-shaped plan centred on half-conical slate roof (north), clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks having stringcourses below capping supporting crested terracotta pots, and replacement uPVC rainwater goods on slightly overhanging slate flagged eaves retaining wrought iron brackets. Roughcast walls on cut-granite chamfered cushion course on rendered base. Segmental-headed central door opening approached by flight of eleven cut-granite steps between wrought iron railings with concealed dressings framing glazed timber panelled double doors having sidelights on panelled risers below fanlight. Segmental-headed door opening into country house, timber doorcase with pilasters on cut-granite padstones supporting shallow cornice on fluted consoles, and concealed dressings framing timber panelled double doors having sidelights on panelled risers below fanlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing eight-over-eight timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings (north) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): bow-ended central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, plasterwork cornice to ceiling, cantilevered staircase with turned timber balusters supporting carved timber banister, and carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set in landscaped grounds on an elevated site including terrace centred on flight of ten cut-granite steps between wrought iron railings.
Appraisal
A country house erected for Lieutenant William Ryland Rainsford (1776-1864) representing an important component of the early nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of the environs of Bunclody with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking rolling grounds with the Blackstairs Mountains as a picturesque backdrop; the symmetrical footprint centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase not only demonstrating good quality workmanship, but also showing a pretty fanlight; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression; and the slightly oversailing roofline: meanwhile, aspects of the composition clearly illustrate the continued development or "improvement" of the country house into the twenty-first century. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original or sympathetically replicated fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (extant 1839); and a nearby gate lodge (extant 1839), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained estate having historic connections with the Rainsford family including Reverend Marcus Ryland Rainsford (1820-97) 'of Carlton-road Putney in County Surrey' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1897, 399); the Levingstone family including Joshua Levingstone (----), 'Farmer' (NA 1901; NA 1911); and the Booth family including Brigadier John Roberts Booth (1901-71).