Belmont House (Youth Hostel) Belmont Place

Belmont House, a large detached villa, was built in 1820 by John Foulston for John Norman. The building is finished in stucco with stucco detailing and features a roof that is hidden behind a parapet with a moulded cornice. It is designed in a Neo-classical style, showcasing a Greek Revival porch. The villa has a double-depth plan and stands two storeys tall with symmetrical three-bay southwest and southeast fronts, each with central porticos.

The southeast garden front has a 1:3:1-window arrangement and includes a distyle-in-antis Doric portico adorned with dentils and wreaths on the entablature, topped by a stepped parapet featuring a Greek key panel. The casement windows are set within eared architraves, and the central bay and windows are recessed. The southwest entrance front has a 1:1:1-window layout and features a pedimented tetrastyle portico with triglyphs, with a stylobate serving as steps. There are blind windows within eared architraves, except for a sash window above a pilastered tripartite doorway that has a moulded entablature, along with patterned glazing in the sidelights and overlights, and an original panelled door.

Inside, the hall boasts a central imperial staircase leading to a gallery, supported by large Ionic columns. The hall and picture gallery are richly decorated with fine plasterwork, and the gallery has a segmental ceiling that springs from pilasters, featuring an oval lantern on miniature Doric columns. The vestibule includes a segmental domed ceiling carried on Doric columns.

Historically, John Norman was a partner in the building firm of Hodge and Norman and resided at Belmont House until 1845. From 1845 to 1854, the house was occupied by Major General Wilson.