Whitehaven

Whitehaven is a country house, now operating as a nursing home, built in 1748 by John Wood the Elder of Bath. It underwent substantial additions between 1936 and 1937, designed to match the original 18th-century style. The house is constructed from ashlar, with hipped slate roofs concealed behind balustraded parapets, a moulded cornice, and large ashlar stacks. It has two storeys, a basement, and modern attic dormers.

The front (entrance) elevation features five bays, with the central three bays projecting and topped by a pediment. Large-pane sash windows are set within architraves. A projecting one-story porch, dating back to the 19th century, has a dentilled pediment, Corinthian pilasters, and a panelled door within a semi-circular head opening with a keystone.

The garden (northwest) elevation also has five bays. Four giant order engaged Corinthian columns dominate the central three bays, supporting a dentilled pediment. A heraldic shield, encircled by a wreath, is set within the tympanum, and pineapple finials adorn the apex and sides. Corinthian pilasters flank the outer bays. A decorative frieze runs across the entire facade, featuring sculpted heads and swags. The windows have been altered; the ground floor has French windows, and the 1st, 3rd and 5th windows have Corinthian pilasters and pediments above, while the 2nd and 4th windows have an entablature and pilasters. Five large-pane sashes are located on the upper floor, replacing four smaller attic windows.

Inside, a mid-18th-century shell-headed niche can be found in a first-floor room. The dining room is notable for its fireplace, which features polychrome Delft tiles dating back to approximately 1750. Reproduction neo-classical ceilings were added in the 20th century.

A new "L" plan block, built between 1936 and 1937, connects the main house to a former dairy. This block is constructed from rubble with a double Roman tiled roof and coped verges. A gable end features two three-light casement windows; the ground-floor windows are under a cornice, while the first-floor windows have Gothic glazing and pointed heads. The dairy retains original stone slabs supported on heavy square baluster legs.

Whitehaven was originally built for Mr. Southwell Piggitt at a cost of £752.10s. The masterbuilder and mason was John Ford of Walcot, Bath; the carpenter was George Hatherell of St. James' Parish, Bath; and the stone carver was Robert Parsons of Lyncombe and Widcombe Parish, Bath.