Cornerstone

ORMSKIRK

SD4108SW THE STILES 663-1/7/177 (North side) 18/01/72 No.15 Cornerstone (Formerly Listed as: BURSCOUGH STREET (West side) No.29A)

GV II

Building of unknown function, in process of conversion as restaurant at time of survey. Probably late C17 or very early C18; altered in early C19 and subsequently. Coursed squared sandstone with quoins, stone slate roof. Cruciform plan formed by main range of 3 structural bays on north-south axis, with east and west outshuts to the centre. Now 2 storeys, slightly raised, but perhaps formerly one tall storey; with a high chamfered plinth to all sides except the south end. The east and west sides of the north end of the main range each have a tall cross-window with chamfered flush mullion and transom and cavetto-moulded hoodmould, and next to this (left and right respectively) a segmental-headed doorway, that on the west side now enclosed by a widening of the outshut which abuts the right-hand jamb of the cross-window, and itself has a 2-light mullioned window also with a chamfered flush mullion. The north gable wall, which is very thick, terminates below the present roof line (which has a shallower pitch) the top portion of the wall being stepped back and rendered. The south side of the east outshut has openings to both floors: a C19 window on each floor, and a doorway at 1st floor approached by recently-altered steps. The south side of the west outshut has recently been extended to the south-west corner; and the south gable (the entrance front) has recently inserted openings. INTERIOR: the north bay has a higher floor, and vacant sockets in the masonry suggest it was formerly partitioned from the centre by timber-framing partition; the west outshut has a timber lintel (or wallplate of formerly lower eaves) and the east outshut formerly had a similar lintel; the early extension to the west outshut contains a stone bowl or piscina built into the wall below the 2-light window; and the roof has two C19 queen-post trusses of bolted softwood.

Listing NGR: SD4143108347