Welcombe Hotel

Welcombe Hotel

This country house, built between 1866 and circa 1880, was designed by Thomas Newby to designs by Henry Clutton, and commissioned by Mark Philips. It was converted to a hotel in 1931 and has a 20th-century range added to the south. The building is constructed in brick with ashlar dressings and slate roofs with numerous brick stacks featuring diagonal shafts and ashlar caps. It is designed in the Jacobean style.

The main complex comprises a principal range with an attached family range to the north and a service range to the west. The east or garden front presents two storeys arranged in a three-window range. It features an ashlar plinth and string courses, a cornice, and an ashlar-coped parapet with three shaped gables. At the centre stands a two-storey canted bay window with 2:4:2-light double-chamfered mullioned and transomed windows, a pierced-work parapet and strapwork cresting. Similar rectangular bays at each end contain 4-light transomed windows, with cross-mullioned windows positioned between the bays. A terrace with stone steps extends across the front; a projecting wing to the left return incorporates a canted bay window with a pierced parapet and pinnacles.

The family range to the right is connected by a terrace with a pierced parapet spanning Tudor arches and a 20th-century infill block at ground floor. This range rises three storeys with an attic and features plainer detailing. Two three-storey canted bay windows with 1:3:1 transomed lights and plain parapets flank an entrance with glazed doors topped by cross-mullion windows. Two three-light attic windows with shaped gables light the upper floor. A low service range to the right displays blind Tudor arcading. The 20th-century wing consists of two storeys with an attic; a four-by-four-window range is attached to the main range by a short corridor and employs simple detailing with cross-mullion windows. End canted bay windows of two storeys with 1:3:1-light proportions and plain parapets occupy the corners, while attic windows of two or three lights with shaped gables complete the composition.

The rear elevation employs similar details: a three-window range includes a 1:4:1-light double transomed canted bay window set above a foundation stone, flanked by matching windows with 3-light transomed lights to the first floor. A three-bay porch to the right carries pilasters and a parapet with ball finials; a Tudor-headed entrance features glazed doors and two cross-mullioned windows. A stair wing to the left has a 4-light window to the ground floor and 3-light windows above. The service wing at the left end displays a Tudor-headed entrance to the right of centre and cross-mullioned windows, with iron area railings present. A courtyard at the north end contains segmental-headed windows.

The interior contains much faceted panelling with roundels and strapwork, echoed in similar four-panel doors. The Great Hall features a coffered ceiling with pendants and a large black marble fireplace with a Tudor arch, twisted columns and the Philips arms. An open-well staircase with a strapwork balustrade, enriched closed string and tapering square newels rises within the space. The landing incorporates a Tudor-arched arcade on fluted and strapwork columns, rich entablature and a coffered ceiling. A front right room displays similar detailing with pilasters and strapwork to the bay windows, rich scrolly pelmets and a 20th-century bar executed in a matching style. The first floor contains rooms with ashlar and marble fireplaces, some inset with polished stones or faceted panels; much original furniture remains.

Mark Philips (1800–73) was a prominent Manchester politician and one of the first Members of Parliament for Manchester, elected in 1832. He was deeply involved in reform and education movements before retiring to his Warwickshire estate in 1847.