24-27, Frenchwood Knoll

A pair of houses, originally dating from 1774 or earlier, and subsequently much altered. The houses, now divided into four dwellings, are constructed of painted brick with a slate roof. They are arranged in a double-depth plan with a long range featuring nine windows at the first floor level. Numbers 24 and 26 each have a wide doorway with a reeded surround, a recessed doorcase with engaged Tuscan columns, a moulded lintel, an elliptical fanlight containing radiating tracery, and a panelled door; the door to number 26 is damaged due to settlement. Number 24 has two 12-pane sashes at ground floor, two similar windows above, plus a 4-pane sash and a tall casement. Number 25 has an inserted door and a significantly altered window at ground floor, and two 12-pane windows at first floor, one of which has been altered to a top-hung casement. Number 26 has two 12-pane sashes on each floor. Number 27 has altered fenestration overall. At the rear, number 24 has sashed windows with margin panes, while numbers 25 and 27 have canted bay windows, with the bay at number 25 being two-storeyed. The interior has not been inspected. The houses were occupied in the early 19th century by members of the Swainson family, who were textile manufacturers (Swainson and Birley, Fishwick Mills).