The Croft, Formerly Tonstall School Tonstall School

SUNDERLAND

NZ3956SW THORNEHOLME ROAD 920-1/21/297 (North East side) 21/12/93 The Croft, formerly Tonstall School

II

Includes: The Crofts, formerly Tonstall School ABBOTSFORD GROVE. House. c1890, with alterations c1905. Designed by George T Brown. For Joseph L Thompson. Interiors refitted by William J Neatby. Red brick and tile-hung, with plain tile roofs. 2 brick stacks. 2 storey. South front has central doorway with glazed door and wooden hood. Above 3 single light plain sashes, and above again a 2-light dormer window. To right a 2-storey canted bay window each with 3 central lights and cross casements, and above a timber-framed gable with two, 2-light casements. To the left a canted bay window on the ground floor, with a projecting wing above supported on timber posts with tile hanging and a 3-light cross casement. West front has 2 storey canted bay windows on either side, both with tile hanging and 3-light cross casements, above each has a timber-framed gable with two, 2-light casements each. INTERIOR: the interiors largely date from the buildings refitting c1905 by William J Neatby, and they include some very original Art Nouveau style fittings. The staircase hall is panelled with an open well stair with splat balusters and square newels, plus panelled ceilings and fitted cupboards with stained glass. Most of the remaining rooms retain similar features, with a very fine group of tiled fireplaces with wooden surrounds and tile fronts, most with beaten brass hoods and fittings. Many rooms also have fitted cupboards with stained glass, and doors with similar glass and brass furniture. Some of the windows have stained glass. This building is listed for the extremely rare and unusual Art Nouveau decoration and fittings that it contains.

Listing NGR: NZ3912856238