Kinsham Court

Country house dating from the late 18th century and early 19th century, with further alterations in the 20th century. It is constructed of brick with a sandstone plinth, and has a hipped slate roof. The building has an irregular plan, comprised of a main rectangular block extended to the east, with minor additions. Gable-end stacks and an axial stack are present on the east wing. The main wing has three storeys, while the east wing has two storeys and attics. The west front features a coved eaves cornice. There are five glazing bar sash windows, with 6-pane glazing to the third floor, and 12-pane glazing to the first and second floors; two windows to the right of centre on the ground floor have altered glazing and were formerly a central doorway. The current entrance is through a glazed, part-hexagonal porch with a 6-panelled inner door, located on the south side. Internally, the layout was largely altered in the 19th century when the entrance was moved to the south side, creating a new staircase and hall. Elaborate late 18th-century plasterwork decoration remains in a drawing room to the north-east, believed to have been created by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard of Shrewsbury around 1760. Late 18th-century panelling is also preserved in a second-floor room to the north-west of the main wing. Originally part of the estate of the Earls of Oxford, the house was initially used as a hunting lodge and dower house. It also had connections to the Florence Nightingale and Lord Byron families; Lord Byron is said to have written or corrected "Childe Harold" here. It was owned by the Arkwright family in the 20th century, during which time Sir John Arkwright wrote "Oh Valiant Hearts.” A rectangular lead water butt, dated 1781, is located to the east of the south front. The house enjoys commanding views and is situated above a steeply wooded valley with the River Lugg below.