Skisdon Including Cold Stores To Rear

House with range of cold stores to rear. Possibly 18th century or earlier, heavily remodelled in the mid 19th century and converted into flats in the early to mid 20th century. Stone rubble, partly rendered, probably stuccoed in the 18th century. Slate roof with gabled front to 3-storey ranges on left and triple gabled end to range on right. Brick chimney stacks in valleys between triple gabled range and projecting rear lateral stack with brick shaft to range on left.

An engraving by C.S. Gilbert from circa 1817 in the owners' possession illustrates Skisdon when the house comprised a regular 4-window range on left with entrance on right and probably a plan of 3 rooms to left of entrance, heated by axial chimney stacks. A 2-window range on right was set back from main range and heated by a rear lateral chimney stack. The original arrangement is now uncertain due to substantial alterations.

Mid 19th century alterations and extensions included remodelling of the left-hand side of the main range by adding an extra storey to provide a 3-storey cross wing, and another range parallel at the rear which contains the stairs at the rear of the entrance hall. The right-hand end was extended in the mid 19th century by the addition of a large room at the front; the room in the range behind was remodelled at the same time and both face the garden to the right of the house under a three-span gabled roof.

The building comprises 2 storeys and attic. The front elevation is asymmetrical with a 1:3:2 window range, with window openings similar to those illustrated in the 1817 engraving. It comprises a 3-storey one-window range on left with gable end, lower 3-window central range of 2 storeys and attic with steeply pitched roof, and 2-window range on right projecting forward. The central 3-window range has a straight joint to left of centre. Ground floor features a 20th century double-glazed door on left, a 4-pane sash to right of centre, and entrance on right with circa mid 19th century rendered gabled porch with shaped bargeboards. First floor has three 4-pane sashes. The steeply pitched roof has 2 gabled full dormers with 4-pane sashes and shaped bargeboards. A bellcote sits on the ridge to left of centre.

The range on left has 19th century 4-pane sashes on ground, first and second floors and blind window above in gable end. The range on right has 2 tall 19th century 4-pane sashes on ground and first floor. The right-hand side elevation features a triple gabled front with wavy timber bargeboards and finials, 20th century verandah on ground floor, and 4-pane sashes on first and second floors. The rear elevation is 3 storeys tall. Large niches excavated out of bedrock cliff to rear form larders and cold stores.

Interior: The main range on left has a hall passage of full 2-storey height with coved ceiling. Room to left of entrance hall has circa late 18th century classical chimney-piece decorated with swags and ovals with late 18th century cast iron grate with hobs. 19th century chimney-pieces serve 2 rooms to left via back-to-back fireplace. Large 19th century kitchen fireplace in room to rear on left with bell-pull to ring bell in bellcote. Thick wall between front and rear rooms in central range continues as lath and plaster partition above ground floor. Circa 19th century stair with closed string, square balusters, ramped rail and turned simple newels. Stair window with double-glazed 19th century glass and stained glass panel inscribed 'Braddon of Treworgey, 1654' with heraldic arms. Range on right has 19th century marble chimney-pieces and cornices. Roof timbers to main range were replaced in circa mid 19th century when the roof pitch was altered to span the double depth range. Roof structure above remains of earlier range on right is not fully accessible; circa 18th century, with lapped and pegged collars and ridge.

Skisdon was a parcel of the Manor of Tregoide, first mentioned in 1350 as a tenement of the manor under the form of Reskesen. In 1707 it formed part of the possessions of John Nicholls of Trewane. In circa 1777, Reverend Joseph Bennett, sometime curate in charge of the parish, moved from the vicarage to Skisdon when Reverend Joseph Pomery was installed as Vicar. Maclean attributes to Bennett the addition of a wing at Skisdon together with the erection of the garden walls. An engraving titled View of Skisdon Lodge engraved by C.S. Gilbert dates to circa 1817.