The Limes

The Limes is a house largely dating from the 1860s, designed by Samuel Pountney Smith, and incorporating elements from an earlier structure, either on the same site or salvaged from elsewhere. The design draws inspiration from the 17th century. It is built of stone, brick, and timber, with a plain tiled roof.

The house has two storeys with a partial cellar and attic. The plan includes a main block with a hall and cross wing, extended by a slightly recessed service range.

The front elevation of the main block incorporates early masonry, with close studding and quatrefoil panelled timberwork above, much of which is from the 17th century, although its original location is uncertain. A large timbered gabled porch with stained-glass side lights shelters the central entrance hall. A cross wing to the left features a stone traceried window on the ground floor, a projecting oriel window above, and an attic window with pierced decorative framing. A projecting stack and window are in the return wall. To the right of the entrance is a projecting bay window with mullions, and an oriel window above. Cable moulding and incised quatrefoil decoration appear on many of the main timbers, a characteristic detail of 17th-century Shrewsbury architecture. Stone and brick stacks feature star-shaped shafts on the end walls.

A recessed service wing is located to the right, with casement windows on the ground floor and oriel windows above. A half-hipped bay features paired fixed-light windows on the ground floor. Further along, a three-window range of brick and stone includes a plain chamfered doorcase, and an end gable containing a large first-floor oriel window projected forward.

Inside, the entrance hall has Gothick wall panelling and a staircase with 17th-century style splat balusters. The stair window incorporates fragments of medieval glass within 19th-century work. Both entrance halls feature encaustic tiled floors in a medieval style, and fireplaces throughout the house have matching tiled hearths.

The property was acquired by Pountney Smith around 1860, and The Limes was constructed as his residence. An earlier house was recorded on the site, although the extent of its survival within the current building is unknown.