Darwin's Townhouse

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SJ4912SW 653-1/15/574

SHREWSBURY ST JULIAN'S FRIARS (west side) No.37, Darwin's Townhouse

(Formerly listed as No.37, Sandford House)

10/01/53

GV II* House. c1800. Brick with Welsh slate roof. Three storeys, two window range. Entrance front faces south, with central door in pedimented porch. Twelve-pane sash windows above, and in eastern elevation. Garden front to west has full-height octagonal bay with sash windows. Lower block to north a somewhat later addition. Axial stacks.

INTERIOR: original interior survives largely intact, plaster ork probably by Smith of Shifnal. Original staircase to left of entrance, with octagonal drawing room beyond. This room has ornate plaster work in the style of Adam: low dado rail and panelled ceiling incorporating low relief panels of zodiac signs, putti, and classical scenes. Doorway and arched niche have shell-moulding. Original fire surround with hunting scene in low relief below mantel. Dining room to right also has original fire surround with later grate and tiles. Plaster wall-panelling incorporating mirrors surrounded by high relief swags. Plaster panelled ceiling with low relief panel also in one first-floor room overlooking garden.

Graded for the high quality of its interior plasterwork.

Listing NGR: SJ4943212247