Cuckoo Nest

Cuckoo Nest is a house that has been divided into three separate homes. It was built in 1693 by Benjamin, Martha, and Robert Ferrand, as indicated by the initials and date on the building. The structure is made of hammer-dressed stone and features a stone slate roof. It is two storeys high and has a double-depth, two-cell layout with an additional cell added to the right.

The windows throughout the building are double-chamfered mullioned windows. The first cell has a cottage doorway to the left of a five-light window, with a four-light window above it that is missing two mullions. The second cell, which serves as the main living area, features a five-light window and a two-light window, likely a fire-window, along with a small single light to the left of three-light and two-light windows above. There is a dripmould over the ground-floor windows, and the doorway has an eared architrave with rusticated quoins, topped by a dated lintel with a cornice and an oculus window above. The left gable is coped and has kneelers and a stack, while another ridge stack is positioned at the junction with the added cell on the right, which is set back and has a six-light window with a king-mullion under a hoodmould featuring a spiral stop.

The rear of the house retains its original back door, which has a segmental lintel and a broad chamfered surround. The rear of the original 1693 house projects forward and maintains its original window arrangement, including five two-light windows and a cross-window at mezzanine level for stair lighting.

Inside, the main living area features a very large fireplace with a wide segmental arch, a cyma-moulded surround, and spandrels carved with foliage patterns. There are small service rooms at the rear and a replaced dog-leg staircase in its original position. The added cell may have served as a new parlour, as all the beams are elaborately stop-chamfered. A cellar is reported to contain stained glass, although it was not inspected. The main door surround is similar in style to that at Micklethwaite Grange.

Cuckoo Nest was built by the Ferrands on the St. Ives Estate, located near the estate kennels.