The Old House

The Old House is an intriguing 17th-century building located on The Close. It is notable for being one of the few houses that survived the fire of 1731. Built around the middle of the 17th century by Dr. Sagittary, a physician from the Palatinate who practiced in Blandford, the house reflects a Germanic architectural style. Dr. Sagittary passed away in 1696.

This L-shaped, two-storey house is constructed of red brick and features a projecting porch wing at the front. The roof is steeply pitched and hipped, with the lower section covered in stone slates and a flat lead roof over the porch wing. The wide eaves soffit is supported by heavy, shaped oak brackets. Hipped dormers are present, and the two chimneys are octagonal on square bases, each adorned with eight circular attached shafts that have moulded brick bases and cappings.

The eastern part of the house showcases rusticated brickwork and includes a moulded brick eaves cornice. Above the round-headed doorway, which features rusticated brick voussoirs, there are decorative designs in cut brickwork and a moulded niche, all believed to have been crafted on-site. The windows are leaded casements with moulded oak frames and mullions, with the eastern windows also featuring transoms. Although there was once a contemporary staircase and other carved woodwork inside, these elements were removed to Scotland, where they were later destroyed by fire.