Ashlands

SD 82 SW 6/236

RAWTENSTALL, Newchurch, TURNPIKE Ashlands

II

Large house, dated 1863 at rear, for Samuel Ashworth Lord. Sandstone ashlar (rear rock-faced), low-pitched slate roof with 4 chimney stacks. L-shaped: rectangular main block with service wing attached at rear left corner. Basement and 2 storeys, in Renaissance style; rusticated quoins, plinth, string course, moulded cornice, low parapet; south (entrance) front of 3 bays, the 3rd projecting and having an open-pedimented gable: square single storey porch in the angle, with panelled pilasters and round-headed arch with keystone, one window to the left and 2 above: these and most other windows are segmental-headed and sashed with shouldered architraves and prominent moulded sills, but that to left of porch has a cornice with figured consoles (portraying daughters of Samuel Lord): ground floor of gabled bay to right has a chamfered rectangular bay with 5 tall round-headed windows, window above this has a segmental pediment with carved consoles, and carving on the window head including the head of Samuel Lord. Re-entrant wall and service wing to left have simpler openings; right return wall (to garden) has 4 windows on each floor, those at ground floor with moulded cornices and carved consoles. Rear: plinth incorporates datestone inscribed S A L 1863; stairlight treated as oriel with 3 lights rounded at both ends and 2 circular lights. Interior: open well stone staircase with half-landing, ornamental iron balusters; hallway, stairwell and landing all have elaborate moulded plaster frieze, cornice and beams; drawing room and dining room have foliated pattern moulded plaster friezes, the former also ceiling medallions containing paintings. Plaster work said to be by Italian craftsmen otherwise engaged on decoration of Manchester theatres. History: Samuel Ashworth Lord, cotton manufacturer and merchant, of Gog Hills Mills etc.

Listing NGR: SD8350922529