Whitworth House

Whitworth House is a house, largely dating to the late 18th century, with an additional wing at the east end likely built in the early 19th century. It is now divided into two dwellings. The building is constructed of coursed sandstone with quoins; the wing has rusticated quoins. The roofs are slate, with a hipped form and low pitch over the wing. Chimneys are located at the left gable, along the ridge, and at each end of the wing. The plan is L-shaped, with the original house having a double-depth, two-bay design, with a third bay added to the right. A projecting, two-bay, double-depth wing extends to the right. The house is two storeys high, with the wing being higher. A doorway with a chamfered surround is positioned between the first and second bays, flanked by tall, coupled windows with glazing bars, now top-hung casements. The third bay contains similarly styled windows. The left return wall features a plain doorway and is slate-hung above ground floor, with coupled sash windows towards the rear. The wing has a moulded cornice and a low parapet. A doorway is situated near the angle of the wing; there is one window at ground floor and two above, all tall with plain surrounds and now top-hung casements with glazing bars. The end wall has a single window on each floor, while the rear features a round-headed stairlight. Internally, most features have been altered, but an original 18th-century fireplace remains in the rear ground-floor room, along with doors with fielded panels, which may be original. The house was the home of the Whitworth doctors, the first of whom, John Taylor (died 1802), began as a farrier and specialized in treating cancer and broken limbs; he was even summoned by George III to attend Princess Elizabeth.