The Dell

The Dell is a house that has been converted into a convent, built in 1872 by Thomas Wonnacott for Alfred Russel Wallace. The building features a rendered and whitewashed shuttered concrete exterior with asbestos slate roofs.

The east front has two to three storeys, with a central three-storey cross wing that has a two-window range. To the left of the twin arched staircase windows, which have stained glass margin glazing, is a glazed timber gabled porch with stained glass panels. Below the windows, there are three square recesses, with the center one being glazed. To the left of the staircase window is one 1/1 horned sash, and above are two 1/1 unhorned sashes. South of the center is a two-storey wing featuring a first-floor platband and a glazed French window on the ground floor. North of the center is another two-storey section with a three-window range of 1/1 unhorned sashes, one of which has been converted into a doorway. A single-storey service range extends to the north and has ten metal single-light casements.

The west elevation has two storeys and an attic, with an irregular three-window range of 1/1 and 2/2 horned sashes. The platband continues along this elevation. The south return features two gables: the eastern gable has a canted single-storey bay window fitted with 1/1 unhorned sashes, and above it is one 2/2 horned sash. The west gable is recessed and has one 2/2 horned sash on each floor above a late 20th-century conservatory that replaced a 19th-century one.

Inside, the east porch leads to an entrance lobby with half-glazed double doors that open into the hall. The staircase is separated from the hall by two open arches and features stone stairs with concrete skirtings, cast-iron twisted newels, and a ramped and wreathed mahogany handrail. Most interior doors are four-panelled. There is a chapel in the south-east corner, which was formerly the drawing room, and it has a panelled surround to the bay window. The south-west room, which serves as the dining room, features anaglypta ceiling paper with a geometric pattern, and stained glass panels are located over the doors leading into the conservatory.