20 Millstone Lane

A C18 house with C19 additions, now used as offices.

MATERIALS: the building is constructed of red brick, with a graded slate roof and timber framed sashes.

PLAN: the C18 house is near square on plan with a C19 addition projecting to the rear forming an L plan.

DESCRIPTION: the building is two storeys and attic. The principal elevation is to the south and is classically proportioned with three bays. It has a central doorway with semi circular fanlight and timber moulded door case with an open dentiled pediment. There are flanking windows with flat brick arches above. A single sash to the left and two to the right. There are single sashes above and hipped dormers with multi-pane windows at the roofline. There is a base course and a slightly projecting string course. The windows are vertically sliding sashes to the ground and first floors set in moulded cases, and horizontally sliding sashes to the dormers.

INTERIOR: the interior of the building has been adapted for office use including the insertion of suspended ceilings on the ground floor. The original plan form of two rooms on the ground floor flanking a central passage which leads to the stair towards the rear, is clearly readable. There are two further rooms on the first floor reached from the landing and access to the wing at the rear which contains further meeting rooms and an additional stair at the very rear of the building. The main, open string stair with carved decorative brackets, slender, tapered and turned balusters and ramped handrail is indicative of the buildings C18 origins and survives well. A number of fireplaces of C18-C19 date, on both the ground and first floor, are retained and original carpentry including door frames, some skirting, simply panelled cupboard doors and plain cornicing survive throughout. The attic, which is accessed from the neighbouring 20A Millstone Lane retains the early timber roof structure whilst other features of note include a vaulted cellar and a rear window on the ground floor with timber mullions, open longer lights and divided, simply coloured and patterned upper lights.