The Chantry

The Chantry is a house dating to approximately 1750-60, possibly designed by a surveyor or architect associated with the Longleat estate. It is a three-storey building constructed of recently cleaned Bath stone. The exterior features a projecting plinth with a moulded coping, plain bands to each floor, and small rusticated quoins. A moulded cornice sits below a plain parapet with moulded coping, topped by an old tile roof. The windows are glazing bar sashes with stone architrave surrounds. The first floor displays three windows, each with a central light of four panes and side lights of three panes, representing a rectangular variation of a Venetian window style. Two similar windows are located below, on the ground floor, flanking a six-panel central door recessed within a Doric surround of pilasters, a triglyph frieze, a moulded and bracketed cornice, and a pediment. A Palladian window is situated above the doorway on a mezzanine level; it features Ionic pilasters framing the lights and a bolection frieze and moulded, bracketed cornices. The architrave around the central light of the Palladian window incorporates an interlacing “Gothic” glazing pattern. The right-hand ground floor window is misaligned with the windows above to accommodate a secondary entrance in the right-hand corner, which is now blocked. A rear extension, dating from the early 19th century, projects north-east, with two large windows per floor. Inside, a fine contemporary oak staircase with first-floor and landing galleries, ramped sills, and panelled dados is a prominent feature. Oak interior joinery frames the central Ionic Palladian window. The main hall includes a dentil cornice and a diamond-pattern flagged floor. The building's design shares similarities with Byne House on Church Street and Dilton Vale Farmhouse in Westbury.