Old Court House

This detached house, now converted into retirement home flatlets, dates from the early 18th century, with later alterations and additions made in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is constructed of multi-coloured stock brick, and the extensions have slated hipped roofs.

The central bay is three storeys with a cellar, flanked by two-storey later extensions. The window arrangement is 2:3:2, with the central three windows being blind. A central doorway is accentuated by a Doric doorcase, sheltered by a glass and timber porch. Most windows have gauged red brick flat arches and recessed sash windows with exposed boxing. A southern extension features a ground floor canted bay window with an ogee penthouse roof.

The interior hall is notable for its distyle-in-antis timber Ionic screen and a chimney-piece featuring Ionic three-quarter columns, an egg-and-dart cornice, and frieze panels with a cartouche flanked by foliage. The staircase has column-on-vase balusters with a fluted Composite capital on the newel. Other internal features of interest are believed to remain.

The house has been known by various names, including Heath View and Earlsmead. The name “Old Court House” was adopted in 1926 when purchased by Mr. Campbell Hunter, referencing a connection to the Dunnett Estate Office, which occupied the house in the 1850s. The Dunnett family acted as Manor Surveyor, and the “Old Court House” name was intended to link the property to manorial courts, though these were actually held elsewhere at Jack Straw’s Castle.