Rosemerryn House

Rosemerryn House is a country house dating to circa 1720. It is constructed of dressed killas and killas rubble, with a granite ashlar plinth. The roofs are dry Delabole slate, laid with diminishing courses at the front, with hipped returns at the front and a hipped end on the left of the parallel roof over the stair hall; gable ends are present to the rear wings. Stone stacks are situated over a cross wall towards the left and over the rear wall of the room on the right.

The house follows a large, overall U-shaped plan. It was likely originally L-shaped, with a stair hall wing added to the inner (rear) angle. This connects the front range, comprising a parlour to the left and a hall to the right, to a probable original service wing set at right angles behind the hall. A later 18th century service wing is located at right angles behind the parlour. A large entrance hall links to a larger stair hall, which is under a separate roof.

The symmetrical north-west front has two storeys plus attics within the rear right-hand wing and features a seven-window arrangement with a central doorway. The doorway is within an original distyle pedimented stone porch, embellished with Gibbs style rustications and Ionic capitals. The windows are circa mid-18th century 18-pane hornless sashes, with wide glazing bars and much of the original crown glass. A moulded eaves cornice incorporates moulded brackets.

Inside, the parlour retains an original moulded ribbed plaster ceiling, featuring a central diamond within a double oval, bordered by rectangular panels. An open-well staircase with twist balusters rises over an open string is also original.

The site of Rosemerryn House has a long history, with the first recorded mention dating to 1283. Rates were paid on the property by J.L. Mason in 1721, and in 1746 it was occupied by Richard Mason. The estate was purchased in 1773 by Captain Peter Brown, who later married Mary, daughter of Captain John Trounde, and served as sheriff of Cornwall in 1775.