Picton House And Forecourt Railings

Picton House is a house dating from around 1830, located on Picton Street in Bristol. It is constructed of roughcast rendered Pennant stone rubble with limestone dressings, and the roof is not visible. The building has a two-storey, L-shaped plan, incorporating a main range facing the front and a smaller range to the rear left (north).

The symmetrical front elevation features pilasters extending to a frieze, cornice, and parapet. The central doorway has a pedimented surround and a fanlight above a six-panel door. The windows are hornless sash windows, each divided into eight panes, set within fluted architraves with a small key stone. Above the door is a similarly framed panel, supported by two small brackets, bearing the inscription "PICTON HOUSE." The rear elevation has a large rectangular window inserted at ground floor level, with two hornless sash windows above it on the first floor. A segmental arched double doorway at ground floor level provides access to the basement. Stone steps lead up from the small courtyard to a doorway in the north elevation of the adjacent building, number 23 (which is not included in the listing). The north range features a canted oriel window on the first floor, with a wooden casement window below this on the ground floor. A doorway is present on the inner elevation.

The interior comprises one room on each floor flanking a central, narrow, single-flight staircase, with a further room within the north range. The staircase has a narrow handrail that appears to be re-used. Doorways on the ground floor have reeded architraves with roundels.

Spear-headed iron railings define the forecourt. Number 23 Picton Street, which adjoins Picton House to the right, is not considered to be of special interest.

Picton House and number 23 stand back from the street, aligned to the west, creating a slight angle with neighbouring properties. Drawn plans from 1828 show the adjacent rows of houses but not Picton House and number 23 themselves, suggesting construction shortly after that date. It was converted to flats in the post-war period and subsequently used as an office in the late 20th century.

Picton House and its forecourt railings are designated Grade II for their architectural merit. The building represents a good example of a classical town house, exhibiting characteristic Regency details, and despite alterations to the interior, it retains its original plan form and features of interest such as plasterwork and door surrounds.