St Antony'S Convent

Saint Antony's Convent is a country house, originally known as Leweston Manor, dating to the late 18th century and built for William Gordon. A west wing was added in the mid-19th century. The interior was largely remodelled around 1930, under the direction of architect Maxwell Ayrton.

The original house is constructed of ashlar stone with a concealed roof behind a parapet, and ashlar stacks behind the parapet. It is two storeys high. The main front features a slightly projecting central section with a pediment that breaks through a raised solid parapet. There is a moulded cornice at the base of the parapet and a second moulded course at a lower level. A central porch has a balustraded parapet with solid angle piers topped with urns. The round-arched doorway is within a moulded arch with a keystone and imposts, flanked by Ionic pilasters that support the parapet. Elliptical sash windows with glazing bars, in raised stone surrounds, are positioned centrally on each floor to either side of the porch. Two similar sashes are on each floor to either side of the central bay, all set within a balustraded parapet with solid angle and intermediate piers. The intermediate piers have ball finials and the angle piers and parapet of the centre bay have onion-shaped finials. A coat of arms is featured in the pediment. A C19 wing at the right end has plastered walls and a slate roof with an eaves cornice and coped gables. It is two storeys high, plus a mezzanine level, with sash windows incorporating glazing bars within stone surrounds.

Attached to the house on the left is a stone balustraded terrace wall with moulded coping. A pair of stone gatepiers, topped with moulded caps and ball finials, support iron gates dating back to approximately 1910.

Internally, most features date to around 1930. The entrance hall contains a marble fireplace surround, above which is a mural of the estate incorporating a clock and weathervane. The Drawing Room features a marble fireplace surround with a mirror overmantel, and mural paintings depicting Persian hunting scenes and ceiling paintings representing the Zodiac, all the work of George Sheringham. The main staircase has a bronze balustrade and a ribbed glass handrail. Panelled doors are set within polygonal arched openings. A circular lobby to the Staff Room is designed as a "Parrot’s Cage," incorporating bronze grilles and an open dome, with further mural paintings by George Sheringham behind the grilles. The building is designated as Grade II*, primarily for its Art Deco period interior. Mid-20th century additions are considered to be of no specific architectural interest.