The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary

This is a former rectory, originally dating from the 17th century and substantially remodelled in the early 18th century. It was further extended and remodelled in the early 19th century, probably during the incumbency of John Rogers.

The building is constructed of killas rubble walls with shallow brick arches dating from around 1830 over the openings. It has steep scantle slate roofs that sweep lower at the rear, with slightly projecting eaves at the front carried on wooden brackets. Brick chimneys rise over the gable ends, including a former gable end that now functions as a cross wall towards the left.

The plan has evolved considerably. In the 17th century the house was probably T-shaped with four rooms. This plan was remodelled around the early 18th century, retaining the 17th-century external plan. The front walls were remodelled as two three-window fronts overlooking the front angle between the present main range and a cross wing on the right. At that time the hall was probably on the left, the parlour in the front end of the cross wing, and the kitchen in the rear of the cross wing with probably a buttery between. The stair hall survives to the right of the former hall, though a later 18th-century outshut now fills a former rear angle between the stair and rear wing. Around the early 19th century the house was extended on the left with a self-contained double depth house containing two front reception rooms, a central entrance hall and stair hall (now remodelled), and service rooms in an integral outshut. At probably the same time the rear of the cross wing was extended on its right to create a large study, and a lean-to porch was added mid-way to the right-hand wall.

The exterior is two storeys. The east-south-east front has five windows overall, with the gable end of the cross wing projecting on the right. The left-hand side of the front is a virtually unaltered, circa early 19th-century symmetrical three-window front with central doorway. The right-hand side of the front and the return wall of the left-hand side of the wing were remodelled in the early 19th century, with some openings blocked and windows resited. Previously there were two similar three-window fronts facing into the angle with a doorway into the wing towards the angle. All present front windows are hornless sashes with glazing bars dating from the early 19th-century extension and remodelling. The principal doorway is beneath the fourth opening from the left and has an original early 19th-century six-panel door, leaded fanlight, and Tuscan doorcase with open pediment. The other elevations remain similarly unaltered since the early 19th century.

The interior presents an interesting blend of early 18th-century and early 19th-century features, except for the fireplace on the front wing which is 17th-century, featuring chamfered granite monolithic jambs and lintel. An 18th-century dog-leg stair survives with closed string, column-over-vase turned balusters, moulded handrails, square newel posts with moulded caps, and an ovolo-moulded panelled dado. There are several 18th-century two-panel doors, some with original HL hinges and handles. Early 19th-century features include plaster ceiling cornices with ceiling bands.