Grantlands

Grantlands is a large house with associated outbuildings, now subdivided into several dwellings. It was built between 1864 and 1865, with an unrecorded architect, though likely John Hayward. The construction uses random rubble limestone with Beer stone dressings, topped with gable end tiled roofs. This is a complex mid-Victorian establishment, acting as a large house, the centre of an extensive agricultural estate, and incorporating a farmhouse, a bailiff or manager’s house, stables, and servants’ accommodation.

The interior has been completely remodelled, and very little of the original layout remains. The main domestic rooms are in the east-facing block, featuring an off-centre entrance hall and main stairs set a little behind and to the right. A long rear wing, with numerous gables and stacks, housed the kitchen and main service rooms. These return to form a low range of accommodation running parallel to the main house, connecting with the Farm Manager's house. Behind is a courtyard containing various freestanding buildings, including stables, a barn, and the bailiff’s house, creating a self-contained, village-like atmosphere.

The building is two and three storeys high. The main front of the house is asymmetrical, with three bays; the outer bays are separately gabled. The fenestration is varied, including a two-storey castellated bay window to the left, stone windows with transoms, and a single-storey bay window to the right with two two-light casement windows above. The central, recessed bay is also gabled, with an off-centre porch and irregularly placed three-light casement windows. Other elevations are similarly irregular, with some stacks corbelled out, tall with Beer stone quoins. A tall bellcote adds a vertical accent. Windows are of various sizes, mostly with stone surrounds and mullions, some with mullions. A five-light mullioned window with two transoms on the north side marks the principal stairs. Grantlands presents a dramatic and craggy outline towards Commercial Road and makes an important contribution to the visual quality of Uffculme village.