Milnsbridge House

Milnsbridge House, likely built shortly after 1748 and possibly designed by James Paire, is an imposing ashlar-built house with a modern flat roof. The main block is three storeys high with attics, complemented by two-storey wings. The central section features a modillioned pediment containing a Diocletian window in the tympanum. A continuous sill band runs along the ground and first floors. The facade is punctuated by five ranges of sash windows; the central first-floor window is notably set within a recessed round-arched panel with a moulded cornice supported by scrolled consoles. The wings each have two window ranges and half-pediments that abut the central block, incorporating continuous ground-floor sills.

The north elevation has three window ranges, including a door set within a recessed round-arched panel with a moulded surround and cornice featuring fluted consoles. The south elevation mirrors this design, with a central first-floor window in a recessed semi-circular panel, and a central ground-floor window topped by a moulded cornice on fluted consoles. The formal garden front (to the east) differs; its tympanum features an oculus within an elaborate Rococo cartouche. First-floor windows here have moulded cornices above the window frames, while ground-floor windows possess moulded surrounds, pulvinated friezes, and moulded cornices. The central door on this front is framed by a moulded surround with a Wilton frame, a pulvinated frieze, and a segmental pediment supported by scrolled consoles. Ground-floor windows of the wings on this side match the style of the first-floor windows of the main central block.

The interior, with the exception of the north wing, was largely gutted in recent years, although fragments of rich Rococo plasterwork remain adhering to the outer walls.

The house’s history traces back to the early 18th century when it belonged to John Dawson. Following his death, it passed to his wife, Elizabeth, and subsequently to her second husband, William Radcliffe. In 1748, ownership transferred to their son, William Radcliffe (1710-95), who is believed to be the builder of the current house based on stylistic evidence. After his death, it passed to his nephew, Joseph Pickford, who adopted the surname Radcliffe. He gained distinction during the Luddite disturbances of 1812, resulting in a baronetcy in 1813. The second Baronet, Sir Joseph's grandson, did not reside in the house; in 1822, it was occupied by Joseph Armitage, son of George Armitage of High Royd House, Honley. Armitage later purchased the house in 1825. It remained in the Armitage family's ownership until 1920.