The Laurels

The Laurels is a large house, likely designed by John Foster of Liverpool around 1828. It is currently partially restored but in a derelict state. The building is constructed of ashlar stone and features a hipped tiled roof, though it no longer has chimneys. The layout is T-shaped, with a front block that has five bays across and three bays deep, and a rear service wing that is three bays wide and three bays deep. The front is two stories tall, while the rear wing has three stories, including cellars.

In a Neo-classical style, the house has a symmetrical façade with a three-bay center that is recessed behind four giant Ionic columns set on a plinth, which is interrupted in the center by steps leading to the doorway. The doorway features a large fanlight with radiating glazing bars. The ground floor has two sash windows, and there are three smaller windows above. Each flanking wing has a large round-headed window at ground level, with the left window having radiating glazing bars in its head, although the glazing is mostly missing. Above these windows, there are horizontal rectangular panels on the first floor.

The prominent cornice and low parapet extend to the return walls, which have three bays each. The return walls feature tall windows on the ground floor and shorter ones on the first floor, with the right side having restored glazing bars. The side walls of the rear wing have three windows on each floor, all restored with glazing bars, except for the topmost window, which has only six panes. The rear wall has a pedimented center that slightly projects forward, featuring a large segmental-headed tripartite window at ground level and one window on the second floor. The flanking bays have doors and windows on the ground floor that match those on the sides.

Inside, the building has been gutted, but some features remain, particularly the saucer-domed entrance hall with curved triangular pendentives. Fragments of moulded plaster, including a Greek key frieze on the dome, can still be seen. There is a segmental arch leading to the hall and stairwell, as well as a cantilevered stone imperial staircase that has one flight and then two, although the balusters are missing. The right wing contains a lath framework for a segmental coved ceiling.