Ford House

Ford House is a house, originally dating from the early 18th century, and extended and remodelled in the late 19th century. It is situated on Market Street in Leek. The original building is constructed of coursed and squared stone with a stone flagged roof, evolving through three distinct building phases, mainly concentrated in the 19th century.

The original three-storey section presents a three-window facade, with a central entrance framed by a moulded architrave and a Triglyph frieze. Flanking the entrance are early 19th-century bow windows with reeded architraves. The upper windows are mostly 16-pane sashes to the first floor, a 12-pane sash with an entablature on brackets above the doorway, and 8 and 6-pane sashes in the attic storey. Plain cill bands are present at each floor level, along with ornate lead rainwater goods. A full-height mullioned and transomed stair window is located in the return elevation on Stockwell Street. A rear wing, likely built or remodelled in the late 19th century, extends to the right of the main range, with an additional two-storey extension filling the angle. A single-storey range is situated to the right of the main elevation, facing the garden, presumably part of the late 19th-century alterations, and lit by paired domes with stone tracery. A brick service wing is set back to the rear, also three-storeyed, incorporating a gable to the left balanced by a chamfered stone stack to the right.

The interior largely reflects the late 19th-century remodelling, showcasing Arts and Crafts or Renaissance Revival style details. The principal reception room has a heavy wood fireplace, featuring strapwork on the pilasters and marquetry inlaid within the overmantel, beneath a low-relief plasterwork hood. The left-hand front room contains a fireplace with a copper hood and tiles, potentially by de Morgan. A study to the rear includes an inglenook fireplace with a built-in bench, enriched timberwork posts and hoods, and several fitted cupboards, with tiles surrounding the fireplace possibly also by de Morgan. The staircase in the rear corner of the original building is likely contemporary with the house, featuring twisted balusters and moulded tread ends. The stained glass within the full-height stair window is attributable to the interior remodelling, depicting figurative scenes representing the rivers of Staffordshire. Further interior alterations include a first-floor bathroom with a wood-panelled enclosure housing a bath and integral shower.

Historically, the house was the residence of the Sneyd family. Stylistic evidence suggests the late 19th-century remodelling may have been the work of William Larner Sugden.