The Poplars

The Poplars, originally built around 1790, is a two-story house that was constructed for the Director of the Low Moor Ironworks and was later subdivided into Nos 1 and 2. It faces east towards the garden. The house is built of sandstone, presented as brick, with rusticated quoins. A prominent kneeler cap is visible to the gable end, and the roof is covered in stone slate with corniced chimneys. The front elevation is symmetrical and features three windows. The outer windows have plain raised surrounds, but the central window on the first floor has moulded architraves and a round arched head with a keystone. Doorways are incorporated within architraves with pediments. A north-facing extension was added in the mid-19th century, likely at the time of the subdivision. Inside No 2, the original main staircase remains, featuring an open string with delicately turned balusters to each tread, a continuous moulded mahogany handrail, scrolled to a columnar newel at the foot and running up the flights. The stairwell ceiling has an oval framed by corn husk garlands. The drawing room boasts arched niches flanking the fireplace. No 1 retains the former service stairs, which are ramped and have plain turned balusters. The road-facing elevation has some square mullion windows, including one of three lights, and a tall, narrow stairwell light.