The Limes

SJ41SE 653-1/4/100 17/05/93

SHREWSBURY

BELLE VUE ROAD (North West side) The Limes

GV II

House. Largely c1860, but incorporating fragments, either from an earlier house on the site, or removed from buildings elsewhere. By Samuel Pountney Smith. Stone, brick and timber, with plain tiled roof. Early C17 in inspiration. PLAN: 2 storeys with partial cellar and attic. Main block with hall and cross wing plan, extended by long service range slightly recessed. EXTERIOR: main block incorporates early masonry in front elevation, with close studding and quatrefoil panelled timber work above, much of which is C17, not necessarily in situ. Central entrance hall with large timbered gabled porch with stained-glass side lights. Cross wing to its left, with stone traceried window to ground floor, projecting oriel window above, and attic window formed by pierced decorative framing. Projecting stack and window in return wall. To the right of the entrance, slightly projecting squared bay window with mullions, and oriel window above. Cable moulding and incised quatrefoil decoration on many of the main timbers, a typical early C17 Shrewsbury detail. Stone and brick stacks, with star shaped shafts on end walls. Recessed beyond to the right, is the service wing. Brick with casement windows on ground floor, oriel windows over. Half-hipped bay with paired fixed-light windows to ground floor. Beyond again, 3-window range of brick and stone, with plain chamfered doorcase, and end gable containing massive first-floor oriel window, the gable jettied out above. INTERIOR: entrance hall with Gothick wall-panelling and staircase with C17-style splat balusters. Stair window contains fragments of medieval glass, incorporated with C19 work. Main and secondary entrance halls both have encaustic tiled floors, employing a medieval idiom, and fireplaces throughout the house have similar tiled hearths. The property was acquired by Pountney Smith c1860, and The Limes was built as his own house. An earlier house was recorded on the site, but it is not known how much of this may survive in the existing building.

Listing NGR: SJ4948811876