Conservatory In Park

The conservatory in Werneth Park, built around 1860 with later modifications, is a notable structure made of brick with stone dressings, timber, and glass. It features a Welsh slate roof over the entrance block, while the rest is primarily glass. The entrance block consists of a central octagon that rises from a square, single-storey base, and includes a Tuscan portico on the southwest elevation. Beneath the portico is a round-arched entrance doorway, flanked by 4-pane sash windows set in moulded stone architraves. Each side of the central pediment has a modillion cornice, and there is an openwork parapet adorned with urns at the corners.

On the southeast elevation, a wide bow window is supported by massive scrolled brackets at the parapet, with additional 4-pane sash windows on either side. A doorway in a moulded stone architrave is located beyond this window. The octagonal upper storey features triple windows, a plain string course, and stone rosettes as a frieze on each face, topped by a heavy modillion cornice and overhanging eaves. A wooden lantern crowns the roof.

Inside, the conservatory includes an octagonal hall with a pyramidal roof and Art Nouveau glass. Projecting from the northwest elevation are glass houses that form a triple-gabled range supported by internal cast-iron columns. The symmetrical facade facing the park features a central canted entrance porch and outer bow windows, with a stone plinth and the rest glazed with margin lights. The octagonal entrance block was likely constructed as a music room for a now-demolished house built by the Platt family around 1850. After the house was demolished in 1895, the portico was retained as the entrance to the music room, which was then intended for public access by Sarah Lees.