The Shrubbery

The Shrubbery

House with attached outbuildings, located on Piddocks Road. Built circa 1800 with late 19th-century alterations and additions. The building was unoccupied and secured at the time of inspection in October 2007.

The principal elevation is constructed of red brick laid to Flemish bond, set upon a low sandstone plinth. Ashlar sandstone provides dressings and copings. A deep timber eaves cornice runs along the roofline, which is covered in slate laid to diminishing courses, though partially replaced with 20th-century sheet materials. Gable chimneys pierce the roof.

The building displays a formal linear plan in the style of a Palladian ensemble, with the main house positioned centrally between two flanking pavilion-style outbuildings. The composition is symmetrical, with the house comprising three bays and two storeys, and the two single-storey outbuildings matching in proportions and detailing. Originally, curved and ramped walling linked the house to these outbuildings, but these connecting structures are now breached on both flanks.

The house features a segmental-arched headed doorway, which was formerly set within a pedimented doorcase—the outline of this former case remains visible. Flanking the doorway are window openings beneath painted stone wedge lintels with plain stone cills. These windows are currently overboarded but are believed to retain their original sash frames. Remains of flanking walls at either end mark where the outbuildings were once connected; the left-hand (north) wall retains curved ramping at its head, while the right-hand (south) wall is now incorporated into the front end wall of a lean-to structure built against the south gable.

The south outbuilding features a pediment on its front gable with ashlar copings. Below this is a wide three-centre arched blind opening incorporating a shallow arched single doorway. The north outbuilding has matching proportions but displays a plain timber lintel above a double doorway, which replaced an earlier arched head.

The rear of the house faces a hillside. A tall arch-headed opening, now blocked, leads to a projecting stair tower with a curved rear wall. One of two lean-to additions survives to the north of the stair tower. The base of the former curved connecting wall extends to the south outbuilding.

The interior was not inspected but is believed to retain the original floor plan, much of the original staircase, and evidence of original decorative finishes.

The building appears on the 1883 Ordnance Survey, where it is identified as 'Cinnery'. It formed part of the Stanton Estate in South Derbyshire. This carefully planned and distinctive design—specifically the grouping of component elements to resemble a miniature Palladian ensemble—represents an unusual and rare example of display architecture of the period. Its likely connection with a landed estate during a time of agricultural prosperity, experimentation, and improvement enhances its historical significance. The building retains the majority of its historic fabric from its pre-1840 construction date.