Manor House Galleries

Manor House Galleries, located at Nos. 26 and 27 on the west side of Bancroft, is a fine house dating from around 1700. The building consists of two sections that are distinct yet abut each other, both of which have undergone careful restoration. The southern section may be a later extension of the main northern facade.

The house is two storeys tall and constructed of red brick, featuring a moulded brick modillioned cornice below a plain parapet that partially conceals the steep tiled roof, which includes two leaded dormers in the northern section. There are nine windows with curved heads, all set in broad, almost flush frames. The ground floor windows have projecting brick keystones that extend into the string course at the first floor level, while the upper floor windows have plain brick aprons.

The northern section has a symmetrical facade with five windows and boasts a magnificent carved wooden porch. This porch is notably tall and splendid, suggesting it may have been relocated from a more imposing facade, possibly from the late 17th century. The porch features fluted Corinthian columns and pilasters, carved modillions, and a rounded head enclosing a carved cartouche. It is backed by rusticated woodwork, which includes a round-headed recess that contains an eight-panel door, with the lower half divided diagonally into four triangular panels, topped by a carved semi-circular fanlight. To the left, there is an elliptically arched carriageway.

Nos. 21 to 28, which are consecutive, form a group with this building.