Danson Park Mansion

Danson Park Mansion is a Grade I listed building constructed around 1765 by Sir Robert Taylor for Alderman John Boyd, originally named Banson Hill. The surrounding park was designed by 'Capability' Brown in 1761. The mansion is built from Portland stone, featuring a rusticated ground floor and three storeys, with the main living areas located on the first floor. It has a heavy modillion eaves cornice and a slate roof. The windows are framed with moulded architraves and retain their glazing bars; those on the first floor have projecting cornices above and balustrading panels below. All four sides of the building are visible, with the north and south fronts being slightly wider than the east and west fronts. The east, west, and south fronts each have a central canted bay with three windows on every floor. The north front features a square central projection topped with a pediment that includes a round window in the tympanum. The main entrance is located on this side, accessed by nineteen wide steps flanked by balustrades. The front door is adorned with engaged Corinthian columns, a modillion cornice, and a decorative vase between volutes, along with a medallion and swags between the architrave and the door's moulded surround. Inside, the mansion boasts a striking central oval staircase, an oval dome above, and a gallery supported by eight Ionic columns on the second floor, along with several elegant rooms.