Frenchay Manor

Frenchay Manor is a Grade II* listed house, now serving as a children's home, built in 1736, possibly by John Strahan. The building is constructed of ashlar with a plain clay tile roof and has a single room depth. The central block rises three storeys and features seven windows, with the central three projecting forward. There are single-storey wings that form canted bays. All windows are glazing bar sashes, except on the second floor where they are nine-pane. The ground floor, including the wings, showcases V-cut rustication that culminates in keystones over segmental-headed windows in the main block. The central door is set beneath a segmental pediment supported by Ionic columns. The windows in the bays have moulded architraves with keystones, and above a string course, the bays are topped with a tall plain parapet featuring a cornice. The main block is accented by rusticated end pilasters, and the windows have architraves, with aprons and segmental pediments on the first floor, except for the central window which has a triangular pediment. The central three windows that project forward are flanked by giant Corinthian pilasters, and a modillion cornice is surmounted by a pediment, with a balustrade on either side that sweeps up at the ends to meet a plain incised newel.

Inside, some original panelling and one Regency fire surround remain. The staircase, which is elliptical at the rear, is illuminated by a large arched sash window and features turned balusters and a moulded handrail. It is separated from the entrance hall by a very large flat arch with a panelled soffit and keystone. The rear elevation has been altered and extended; the central stairwell breaks forward elliptically beneath a balustrade, and there is a large arched window above the door, framed by a moulded architrave and a pedimented porch supported by decorated corbels. In front, there are seven steps with incised panels set into plain walls, and to the right, a wrought iron Regency balcony adds to the character of the building.