Craddock House

Craddock House is a substantial country house dating to the early 19th century, with later additions. It is built of brick, now stuccoed, with a hipped slate roof. The house is planned around a full-height central hall, containing an imperial staircase with a gallery serving the first-floor rooms. The principal rooms are separated from the service rooms by longitudinal corridors on each floor, with staircases at each end. Heating is provided by lateral stacks in the front and middle rooms, and axial stacks flanking the main staircase. A courtyard and associated buildings lie to the rear.

The front of the house is symmetrical, with three bays. The central bay features a portico of four Ionic columns supporting a central panelled door with pilasters and a rectangular overlight, above which is a single 12-pane hornless sash window. Flanking the central bay are two-storey canted bays, each with three 12-pane hornless sash windows on each floor. The left-hand elevation has six window bays, with a projecting centre and a continuous loggia of Ionic columns. A low wall, rising to first-floor level and concealing a courtyard, extends to the rear. The right-hand elevation is similar, with five window bays and no loggia. A later single-storeyed extension, containing the present kitchen, has been added, with horned sash windows.

Inside, the entrance to the stairhall is marked by a pair of Ionic columns, leading to the imperial staircase with stick balusters, fluted newels and a ramped rail with a Vitruvian scroll. These features are repeated on the gallery, which also includes two Corinthian columns above the entrance. A rectangular skylight with side windows illuminates the gallery. All ceilings are panelled, and architraves surround the panelled doors. Principal rooms have plaster cornices and several good fireplaces; the fireplace in the front right-hand room is particularly noteworthy, constructed of white marble with a swag to the frieze supported by semi-naked caryatids. A marble fireplace with attic scenes supported by caryatids is also found in the rear left-hand room (the morning room). Contemporary joinery includes panelled doors and internal shutters.