Staunton House

Staunton House comprises a section of the former Staunton Almshouses. Dating to 1850, as indicated by the date plaque above the doorway, the almshouses were founded in 1635 by Sir Francis Staunton, and later granted by Act of 1760 to John Duke of Bedford. They were built by Francis, 7th Duke of Bedford. The main block is constructed of yellow brick with rendered dressings, topped by clay tile roofs; the rear block is of red brick with clay tile roofs. The building is a long, rectangular block set along the pavement. It is two storeys high and loosely in a Jacobean style. The symmetrical road elevation features nine crowstepped gables of varying sizes, the outer ones being the largest. The ground floor has six two-light windows, flanked by two three-light windows. The first floor has six single-light windows, flanked by two two-light windows. All windows have cast iron lattice casements set within mullioned openings, with square heads and moulded dripstones. Each central and outer gable has a small oculus to the apex with a decorative grille. The central doorway contains a six-panel round-headed door, set within a round-arched opening in a square surround. A large keystone rises to a modillion cornice, flanked by ornamental volutes surmounted by heavy moulded finials. Above the centre of the cornice is a moulded semi-circular panel containing the date plaque. Substantial multiple ridge stacks have moulded caps. Behind the main block, linked by garden walls, is a low, rectangular outhouse block of red brick with clay tile roofs, in a simpler but similar style to the main block. This block has a symmetrical arrangement with a central, slightly taller gable; it was formerly converted to a communal room for residents. Staunton House forms a pair with the adjacent property.