Stowford Manor

Stowford Manor is an Italianate Victorian villa built in 1857 for John Allen, owner of Stowford Mill, as his family residence. The building sits prominently above the mill, commanding views of the industrial complex.

The house is constructed of limestone with rusticated granite quoins, and features yellow and red brick banding to the chimney stacks. The roof is covered in slate tiles with decorative ridge tiles.

The plan comprises a roughly square main block of two storeys with a three-storey belvedere tower and basement, alongside a similarly sized service block to the rear divided into three storeys. A conservatory on the south elevation was demolished in the 20th century.

The principal west-facing elevation has three bays with the main entrance set within the projecting belvedere bay, surrounded by rusticated granite stone and framed by decorative ironwork. The two outer bays feature ground floor canted bays constructed of granite. The south elevation is three bays with a 1:3:1 window pattern, with the service range occupying the right-hand end in a six-window range; evidence of the removed conservatory remains visible at ground floor level. The north elevation is three bays wide with a central projecting bay containing a stained glass tripartite stair window, said to include an image of Sir Francis Drake, with a six-window service range to the left. Throughout the house, fenestration consists mainly of four-pane sash windows with semi-circular upper sections. The timber window surrounds comprise Doric pilasters supporting semi-circular arches with timber keystones. The roof has decorative ridge tiles, and chimneys feature alternating red and yellow brick banding surmounted by stone caps with dentilled cornices.

The interior retains a remarkable degree of completeness. An entrance lobby at the base of the tower leads to the main hall, which features a decorative encaustic tiled floor. The principal staircase has an ornate wrought iron balustrade painted white with a wooden handrail, with the ornate balustrade continuing around the first-floor landing. Three principal reception rooms on the ground floor retain their original interior fixtures and fittings including fireplaces, substantial cornices, ceiling roses, and deep skirting boards, though some fireplaces have been altered or replaced. Many of the upper-floor bedrooms retain their original fireplaces. The service block survives substantially intact, retaining its original staircase, fitted cupboards, fireplaces, and evidence of the original bell system and gas lighting.

During the Second World War, the Royal Navy used the building for a short period. The property is designated Grade II as a competently designed example of an Italianate villa with good attention to detail, featuring a remarkably complete interior and excellent survival of fixtures and fittings in both the main house and service range. It holds strong group value with the Grade II-listed Stowford Mill.