The Firs

The Firs is a house and flats demonstrating development across several periods, with a late 17th-century core, early 19th-century and 20th-century additions. The building is constructed of brick and tile. The central part of the northwest elevation is a symmetrical unit dating to the late 17th century, originally two storeys (now with dormers), and featuring three windows. It has a hipped roof to the east and a modillion eaves cornice. The brickwork is in Flemish bond with blue headers, featuring rubbed flat arches (wider than the current openings), pilasters, a moulded first floor band, and a plinth. An old sash window is located above the doorway; other sash windows are from the early 19th century, with one modern replacement, all containing 30 small panes of old glass. A 20th-century classical doorcase is present. To the east is a lower, plain 20th-century extension with two storeys and casement windows; the brickwork is in Flemish bond. To the west is the tall gable of the original front unit. The early 19th-century front elevation (southwest) is symmetrical, with three storeys (the second floor was added in 1845) and five windows. It has a plain tile roof, thin moulded eaves with carved dentils, walls of red brickwork in Flemish bond, rubbed flat arches, stone cills, a plinth, and a second-floor wood band that conceals an earlier wall plate. Original sash windows are present. A Greek Doric stone porch, with two columns, two pilasters, a plain fanlight and three-quarter glazed double doors, provides the main entrance. Within the angle formed by the two front elevations are rear extensions, originally from the late 17th century but heightened in the early 19th century. A late 19th-century two-storeyed wing is attached by a single-storeyed service block; these irregular units have been converted into flats. Inside the front entrance is an early 19th-century staircase, and one room exhibits panelling.