Survey Data
Reg No
22205316
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical
Previous Name
Newpark House
Original Use
Country house
In Use As
Country house
Date
1740 - 1780
Coordinates
211809, 144193
Date Recorded
27/05/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached T-plan six-bay three-storey over half-basement country house, built c. 1760, with two-bay pedimented breakfront. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks having square pots, hexagonal lantern over stairs, carved limestone eaves course and cornice, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Lantern has leaded sides and glazed roof. Painted rendered walls with cut limestone plinth course. Square-headed window openings with limestone sills, having timber sliding sash windows, three-over-three pane to second floor and three-over-six pane to first floor. Venetian window openings to ground floor comprising round-headed six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows with fanlights having decorative ogee detailing and flanked by detached four-over-four pane timber sliding sash side-lights. Lunette-shaped timber-framed window to pediment. Some rear basement windows barred. Entrance comprises engaged Corinthian columns with entablature and dentillated cornice inset with round-headed door opening having moulded render surround and keystone, decorative spandrels, sunburst fanlight and timber panelled double doors, flanked by decorative leaded sidelights. Flight of limestone steps to front elevation with cast-iron railings. Yard to rear of house comprises three ranges of outbuildings and cut limestone segmental-arched carriage arch. Multiple-bay two-storey outbuilding to south range has pitched slate roof, rendered and red brick chimneystacks, and cut limestone bellcote. Painted rendered walls, slate-hung east gable, square-headed openings with three-over-three pane timber sliding sash windows with limestone sills to upper floor and timber battened doors. Nine-bay single-storey outbuilding to south range has pitched slate roof, rendered rubble stone walls and square-headed openings with timber fittings. Eight-bay two-storey outbuilding to west of yard has hipped slate roof with brick chimneystack, painted rendered walls, two-bay pedimented breakfront with lunette window openings and depressed three-centred headed carriage arches with double-leaf timber battened doors, and square-headed door openings and window openings with timber louvred fittings to upper floor and three-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows to lower floor. Seven-bay single-storey outbuilding, formerly pair of workers' houses, to north of yard has lean-to sheet metal roof, painted rubble stone walls, and square-headed openings with cut limestone voussoirs and timber replacement windows and timber battened doors. Outbuildings to yard to north have pitched and hipped slate roofs, rendered walls and square-headed openings with timber fittings, one with elliptical-headed carriage arch with cut limestone voussoirs and keystone. Walled garden to south-west of house. Entrance to avenue has rendered piers and decorative cast-iron double-leaf gates.
Appraisal
Built by the Pennef(e)ather family in the eighteenth century, the burgeoning interest of the time in classical antiquity is evident in its use of Serlian window motifs, and a Corinthian order with capitals like those of the Pantheon in Rome. The diminishing windows, pedimented breakfront, decorative restraint, and fanlighted door are also evidence of classical influence. The sculpted door surround, and the leaded fanlights to the windows as well as doors are evidence of the craftsmanship used and the status accorded to this building. Retaining much of its demesne and set in a mature landscape, it makes an interesting group with the outbuildings, gate lodge, walled garden and gates and railings.