Numbers 18 To 24 Priory Parade And Attached Railings

Numbers 18 to 24 Priory Parade is a terrace of four houses, built around 1820 to 1830. Now comprising a single house on the left and flats, the building is constructed of ashlar stone over a brick core, with concealed mansard roofs and brick party wall stacks. It features wrought iron verandahs, a balcony, and area railings.

The houses have a double-depth plan with side staircases and service wings at the rear. The exterior is three storeys high with a basement, and provides twelve first-floor windows, three per house. Features include rusticated stone at ground level with voussoirs above the openings, bands marking the first and second floors, a crowning frieze and cornice. Original six-over-six sash windows remain on the second floor. The remaining ground floor windows are mostly single-pane sashes with cambered heads. The entrances alternate left and right, each with flights of roll-edged steps leading to five-panel doors. These doors feature Greek key motifs on the frieze and fanlights; the entrance to number 20 has batwing and circular glazing. The return facade on the left has a six-over-six sash window on each floor, with otherwise blind openings and floor bands.

The interiors retain original joinery, including panelled shutters to most windows and tooled architraves. Numbers 18 and 20 retain moulded cornices and ceiling friezes. Narrow open-well staircases are present, featuring stick balusters and wreathed handrails.

A balcony with a double-heart-and-anthemion motif from the Carron Company is positioned on the first floor to the left of Number 18, and three other similar verandahs are present. Matching area railings are also present, alongside railings to the sides of the steps. Lancet railings are found at the left and right ends, finished with urn finials on the stanchions.

The terrace appears on Merrett's Map of 1834, but not on the 1820 Post Office Map. It is regarded as a distinguished example of the Palladian style, particularly notable for the iron balconies. The terrace sits on rising ground, slightly above London Road, a significant approach to Cheltenham.