Gable End Cottage Whitehall Whitehall Cottages

SD 62 SE DARWEN PARK ROAD

4/21 Whitehall, No.1 Whitehall Cottages, - and Gable End Cottage - II

House, mostly C17 and C18, but perhaps originally 1557, altered and extended at various periods, now 3 dwellings. Coursed sandstone rubble with quoins, mostly with high stone plinth, all painted white, roof of stone slates and some slates, on 2 levels, with gable copings and kneelers, 3 brick chimneys and an extruded stone chimney at the right end now cut down to the eaves. Plan formerly 3/4-H, but now L-shaped with projecting wing on right, the original re-entrant to the rear of the centre bay having been filled (with watershot masonry); lower C19 extension at left end. Three and 2 storeys: main range 3 storeys to front, with 2 windows on each floor, all different and mostly altered except top floor left which is of 3 lights with stone mullions, and the one below which has coupled 12-light windows with glazing bars. Wing is 2 storeys (to same height) and has unusual tall windows with projecting moulded surrounds with consoles beneath and cornices above: one on each floor to front and rear, 2 on each floor in the right return wall (a modern single storey lean-to covering the base of the chimney stack between them), and in the front gable a blocked square opening with similar surround, Other openings of less interest, but doorway in angle with wing was formerly covered by lean-to porch. Modern porch covering door to front of wing incorporates at ground level a moulded Tudor-arched chimney piece with spandrels lettered "RH" "1557", which was in situ (over cross- corner fireplace in main range) in 1889. Interior: ground floor of original rear wall of centre bay has a 2-light stone mullioned window; beneath C19 extension at left end is older cellar including a cell which has a small window with a saddle bar; top floor of 1st bay has original ridge and purlins. Said to be the oldest house in Darwen. (Shaw Darwen and its People 1889, p.46; Darwen News 30th July 1932). Centre bay being altered internally (1984) to make only 2 storeys).

Listing NGR: SD6958720547