Leigh Court Hospital

ST 57 SW ABBOTS LEIGH 4/11 Leigh Court Hospital

G.V. II*

Country house, now a hospital but to be vacated in 1983-84. 1814 by Thomas Hopper for Philip Miles of Bristol. Ashlar; hipped slate roof; ashlar stacks. In a severe Greek Revival style. 2 storeys, on a moulded plinth, cellars and attics. The south-east and north-west elevations are identical. 3:3:3 bays; the central 3 are slightly advanced with a detached portico of four giant, unfluted Ionic columns, plain entablature and pediment; glazing bar sash windows in plain reveals and central glazed doors. The north-east elevation is of 7 bays with the central bays recessed behind four giant Ionic columns in antis; French windows on ground floor, glazing bar sash windows on first floor, C20 fire escape to right; the outer bays have tripartite windows (the outer lights are blank) recessed in a segmental headed niche. To the south-west are attached service wings: 2 storeys; 9 bays of glazing bar sash windows; the south-west end is 2:1:2 bays with end Ionic pilasters, the central bay has a segmental headed window and doorway to a central passageway. The interior is highly elaborate with very fine quality Grecian-style plasterwork. Entrance hall: the square room has a central ring of eight marble Ionic columns which support a saucer dome; decorative anthemion friezes; stone and marble patterned floor. Staircase hall: long oblong room with two flights of cantilevered stone stairs which rise up either side and meet on the first floor; elaborate iron balustrades with brass inlaid handrail; galleries at first floor level with Ionic columns; coved and coffered ceiling with tinted glazing; decorative anthemion frieze, Vitruvian scroll to frieze below galleries; at the north-west end is an 1814 organ by Flight and Robson incorporating a barrel and 2 banks of pipes joined by a frieze, free Greek Revival details. Panelled doors throughout the building, all with brass door furniture. Staff dining room (morning room), in east corner: late C19 in an Adam/Wyatt style with an enriched plaster ceiling a frieze; fireplace with paired Corinthian columns. Patients sitting room (library): flat coffered ceilings with highly elaborate frieze and cornice. Tapestry (drawing) room, in north corner: highly elaborate ceiling with central round panel flanked by rectangular panels; elaborate gilded plasterwork and highly decorative architraves to doors and windows. Room on centre of north-west side has a fine geometrical pattern parquetry floor; decorative ceiling with a large circular centre and much anthemion; elaborate friezes and architraves; retains original square chandelier or gasolier of brass with etched glass. School room, in west corner, (dining room): rectangular ceiling with vine leaves and grapes; figure frieze; large plain marble fireplace with guilloche moulding, animal heads and claws to piers. (N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England : North Somerset and Bristol, 1958).

Listing NGR: ST5431674724