1-2, Lightbounds

The building at 1-2 Lightbounds is a house, originally likely dating to the 17th century, with an earlier building on the same site. It has been extended and altered over time and is now divided into two dwellings. The exterior is rendered over stone, with slate hanging to the rear and Welsh slate and stone-flagged roofs. The extent of the original 17th-century construction is unclear, but the rear wing to the southwest and a range parallel to the front garden appear to be the oldest parts of the present building. This rear wing contains four-light mullioned windows on both floors, seemingly dating to the 17th century. The front garden range was built in two phases; the earlier phase is represented by the three-window range to the northeast, which includes three four-light mullioned windows to the first floor, and a square bay window and a four-light mullioned window to the ground floor, all appearing to be 19th century. A new entrance is located in a gable wall. During the later 19th century, the garden range was extended with a two-window range to the southwest, incorporating similar windows and a doorway to its right. A further rear wing, parallel to the earlier wing, was added in the mid-to-late 19th century. This wing is two storeys high with three windows and two-pane sashes, and features a moulded eaves cornice and blocking course. Numerous lean-to additions to the rear walls were also added in the mid-to-late 19th century. The interior was not inspected. The house is believed to have served as the home farm to Smithills Hall in the 16th century, and was occupied during the English Civil War by Thomas Lightbounds. In the 18th century, it was occupied by the Ainsworth family, who used the adjacent park as a bleaching ground.