Middle Hill Or Rock Lodge Adjacent To Rc Cemetery

Middle Hill, also known as Rock Lodge, is a lodge built around 1830, likely designed by H.E. Goodridge, with additions made in the late 20th century. It is constructed from limestone ashlar and features a slate roof. The lodge is a small rectangular structure oriented gable to the road, situated opposite the former entry point to the so-called Chinese Gate.

The building has two storeys and two windows on its long elevations, each fitted with twelve-pane sash windows that include margin panes and are set in plain reveals. On the north side, there is a small square porch with a panelled door. The eaves are adorned with a moulded cornice featuring modillions, while the gables of the low-pitched roof have broad flat copings supported by modelled kneelers. A centrally placed ashlar ridge stack is present.

The road-facing side of the lodge includes a two-light casement window above a small square eight-pane sash window, both with margin panes and framed by moulded architraves. Above the lower window, there is a flat slab on brackets, which may have served as a hood or possibly as part of a former balcony at the upper level. Deep plain arched niches are located on each side of the lower window. A plain mid band runs along the building, and the eaves modillion cornice extends as a base for a pediment that features identical moulding.

The interior has not been inspected. Historically, this lodge is likely part of the improvements made for Bishop Baines between 1828 and 1836, and it does not appear on the 1828 Estate Map. The lodge derives its name from the rock walls located adjacent to the gate opposite.