24, Swan Street

No 24 Swan Street is a former office building for the Kingsclere and Whitechurch Rural District Council. This Queen Anne house dates from the early 18th century, with significant additions made in the 20th century to create civic offices. The symmetrical front, facing east, features two storeys and an attic with five windows. It has a hipped tile roof and a fully-moulded wood cornice. There are two later Gothic dormers with pointed forms that enclose sash windows. The walls are constructed of blue-brindle brickwork with red dressings, flush quoins, slightly-cambered rubbed arches, stone cills, aprons on the first floor, and a plinth. The windows are sashes.

The tall doorcase is notable for its richly-moulded, though unorthodox, cornice that projects at each side, featuring grooved fret soffits and scroll brackets above fluted pilasters. It has a panelled frieze and a decorative fanlight above a modern door. Inside, there is an original marble fireplace, plain dado panelling, plaster cornices, and archways leading to the hall and upper hall. The staircase has a wreathed handrail and masked rails. Additionally, there is a one-bay flat roof wing on the north side and a large block at the rear, which is of more recent construction.