Bellgables

House. Dating to the late 17th century, Bellgables is constructed of red brick, with a Flemish bond pattern on the front and mainly English bond at the rear. The roof is covered in plain tiles and features shaped gable end parapets with kneelers. Original stacks are present, one at the end and another on the rear wall, the latter now internal. The original three-room plan has been extended at the rear with three single-room service wings. The house has two storeys and an attic, with two 19th-century gable dormers. The first floor has five twelve-pane sash windows in original openings, though the sills have been lowered. The facade was likely symmetrical, originally with a doorway in the centre bay. Two ground floor windows are in original openings, also with lowered sills. One opening has been enlarged for a sash window, and it is likely the site of the original doorway. A stone panel carved with the date 1672, believed to have been found in the garden, is reset to the side of the doorway and may mark the house's construction date. The west gable end exhibits header arches over two windows. An original red brick wall at the west end incorporates reused coursed limestone blocks and some limestone gable coping. At the rear are two linked gabled service wings, built of red brick in English bond, with a plinth, rebuilt upper walls, and tumbled parapets. One storey and attic. A further service wing at the east end is of a similar date, but its roof was raised in the 19th century. Internally, the original plan consisted of three rooms: a kitchen at the east end with an inglenook, a central hall with a hearth and shaped rear wall, and a parlour at the west end with a smaller hearth. There was likely a fourth room to accommodate the hall and staircase. The staircase is of open well design with a closed string, toads back rail, and square newels. The turned balusters on the upper flight are original, with replicas on the lower flight. The roof is of a staggered butt purlin type. One rear wing retains an inglenook, and a back staircase was inserted to provide access to the attic of the main house.