The Hermitage, Manor Gardens

The Hermitage, located in Manor Gardens, is a late 18th-century gazebo associated with the Manor House. It is constructed of rendered brick, now pebble-dashed, and features a thatched roof. The gazebo is octagonal and symmetrical, designed in the Gothic style, and is a single storey.

At the base, there is a brick plinth from which rise ogee-arched wooden architraves with crescent finials on each of the five front bays, flanked by quatrefoil panels. There are two stone steps leading up to a doorway, although the door has been removed. The architrave includes pilasters with strings and plain capitals. The two openings on each side of the flanking bays have panelled bases and bottom-hinged shutters, which have been removed from the left-hand bays, concealing ogee-headed sashes with decorative glazing bars, most of which have also been removed.

The three rear bays each feature a bow with a semi-conical thatched roof, though the thatch is mostly gone. The wooden eaves cornice adds to the structure's detail, and the roof is topped with a spiked and petalled finial.

Inside, the gazebo has board lining with a plinth, dado rail, and cornice. Each side has an ogee-arched architrave, with the three rear sides containing alcoves. At the top of each side, a moulded bush garland descends from a ribband and drapes over floral medallions. At the time of inspection, the gazebo was in a state of dereliction.

It is believed that the gazebo was constructed either for the Reverend H. Lushington, who built the Manor House shortly before 1777, or for C. Gilbert, who purchased the house in 1792. A colour-wash drawing of the gazebo was created by T. Poppleton during the first decade of the 19th century.