Survey Data
Reg No
20900719
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical
Original Use
Outbuilding
In Use As
Outbuilding
Date
1760 - 1800
Coordinates
150061, 119889
Date Recorded
06/09/2006
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached U-plan two-storey outbuilding, built c. 1780, comprising slightly projecting three-bay cut limestone gabled breakfront with bellcote, flanked by L-plan wings with two-bay elevations, eastern wing also having four-bay single-storey addition to south. Pitched corrugated-iron roofs, with cut limestone bellcote partly contained within gable of breakfront, having pointed-arch bell opening with cast-iron bell, and rubble limestone chimneystack to gable end of east wing. Cut limestone walls to breakfront, with round-headed niches to outer bays of upper level, having cut limestone surrounds and sills and carved limestone statues to outer bays of breakfront. Roughly coursed rubble limestone walls to flanking bays and wings. Remains of Venetian window opening to middle of upper level of breakfront. Square-headed window openings to flanking bays and wings with timber casement windows to ground floor having red brick surrounds and cut limestone sills, and one surviving six-over-six pane timber sliding sash window to first floor of east wing. Elliptical-headed openings to ground floor outer bays of breakfront flanking round-headed central opening, all having cut limestone voussoirs. Square-headed door openings to wings having cut limestone block-and-start surrounds and timber battened half-doors. Flight of external cut limestone steps to south gable of west wing, accessing first floor. Cut limestone gate piers to east and west of site. Sited around yard to north of Milltown House.
Appraisal
This unusual outbuilding retains its eighteenth-century character, the central feature of its distinctive design being a skillfully executed cut limestone breakfront which echoes the façade of the demesne's gate lodge. The carved limestone busts are a remarkable and rare example of secular façade statuary in this country. Carved in the same, perhaps somewhat naïve, artisan style as those decorating the gate lodge, the figures here are thought to be likenesses of George I and George II. These statues, together with those adorning the gate lodge, are probably an expression of the allegiance of the occupant. The presence of chimneystacks in the ranges of outbuildings may suggest that these structures once had an additional domestic function, perhaps accommodating labourers and farm hands in the upper storey. Milltown Castle estate has a long history, settlement on the site dating from the late sixteenth century, and this range of outbuildings is one of the principal surviving demesne structures on the site. They form an interesting group in the landscape and are an important part of the social, historical and architectural heritage of the area.