Birks Gate And Attached Outbuildings

This is a small country house, originally dating to the early 18th century, with later additions from the early 19th century, 1879, and around 1906. The original section is constructed of ashlar and coursed rubble, with render and ashlar dressings, and has slate and stone slate roofs, featuring two gable and two wall stacks. The original entrance front has five windows and a central six-panel door within a decorative ashlar Doric column doorcase, featuring an ornamental fanlight. To the left of the door are two windows, one a casement and the other a plain sash. To the right is a triple plain sash window. An ashlar moulded cornice runs along the top, and a parapet tops the wall. A garden front was added in 1879, with three windows; to the right are two and three-light cross mullion windows and to the left a projecting square bay window with a five-light cross mullion window. Above are three three-light cross mullion windows with Tudor hood moulds, each rising to a shallow gable with a ball finial. This range has raised coped gables and kneelers. The entrance front has an off-centre doorway within a moulded surround topped with a wavy hood and a glazed door, with a small side window to the left. Above the doorway is a large three-light cross mullion staircase window. To the right is a large external stack. Set back to the left is the original house, rendered with a lean-to glazed corridor and above, two plain sashes. Attached beyond to the left is a single-story billiard room with a central five-light cross mullion window flanked by single side lights. Further attached to the left are the former coach house and stables, now garages and outbuildings. The front features two garage doors, two glazing bar windows, and two doors; to the left is a single stable door. Above are a pair of two-light windows with glazing bars, and to the right an unusual pointed window, also with glazing bars. The interior of the original entrance range retains many original features, including six-panel doors in reeded surrounds with patera, and plaster coving with egg and dart and Greek key patterns. One bedroom has moulded coving and doors, suggesting an early 18th-century date. The hall contains a Victorian staircase with turned balusters and newels topped with large ball finials, and a fireplace incorporating decorative panels from 17th-century furniture. The Victorian wing has good fireplaces and windows with shutters. The billiard room features panelling, built-in seating, a raised dias with a screen, and a fireplace with an overmantle incorporating 17th-century panels. A small staircase with panelling leads to an upper business or rent room, which has dado panelling, built-in seating, a desk, cupboards, a raised dias, and an open glazed roof.