Penton Close

This is a house, formerly a rectory, dating to circa 1860. It is constructed of brick and flint with a tiled roof. The design incorporates elaborate Tudor and Gothic elements, presenting a near-symmetrical facade (east) of two storeys and an attic, displaying a 1-1-1 window arrangement. A north-facing wing extends from the main body of the house, with a single storey and a 1-1 window configuration. A central projection forms a deep porch, featuring diagonal buttresses. The openings on either side are set within slight projections; the central section has a steep gable with an attic window, while the side units have gables supporting further attic windows, topped with a dormer featuring patterned tilework on its gables and cheeks. The north wing is set back, with a window within a gabled projection. The gables and dormer cheeks are adorned with patterned tiles. The front elevations feature wavy pierced bargeboards. The central gable (incorporating the attic window) has a plain bargeboard above a verge consisting of a stepped brick fascia with dentils above and diagonal dentils below; this pattern is repeated at the lower eaves moulding of the projections. The walls are of yellow brickwork, embellished with a rich panelwise decoration of flush squared knapped flintwork, including raised brick crosses on shields within the larger panels. The first floor has a weathered moulding and a plain plinth. Window openings are chamfered, with a hoodmould above the wide Tudor arch of the porch. The feet of the buttresses extend to a short pier with a Gothic stone cap. The windows are casements, with transoms to the ground floor, featuring three lights on the south side and four on the north. Above the porch is a splayed oriel window with a tiled roof and moulded base. The porch incorporates traceried windows on each side and small traceried lights beside the plain, half-glazed doorways. The north wing is similarly detailed, with a stepped hoodmould and shields within the gable. The rear elevation reflects similar detailing, but presents a symmetrical design with a wide gable at the south side containing an attic window above a two-storeyed splayed bay. A recessed centre features an oriel window (staircase) above a blind Tudor arch. The south elevation displays an elaborate stepped chimney stack with arched recesses and five octagonal flues. The north-side lower wing culminates in a double gable, while a west-side projection forms an arched porch at the corner, from which a narrow westward service wing extends. The elevations of this service wing are plain, consisting of red brickwork in Flemish bond with blue headers, casement windows, and arched entrances. The staircase and entrance hall retain their original features.