Rahere (Number 2) And Napier House (Number 4) And Attached Railings

Nos. 2 and 4 Rahere, and Napier House, are a pair of semi-detached houses built in Cheltenham. No. 2 dates to 1835, and No. 4 to 1848, both constructed in a matching style by different builders; William Hart built No. 4. No. 2 was originally built for Captain William Moore Beetlestone. The houses are stucco-faced over brick, with concealed roof, gault brick stacks to the left end, and iron railings.

Architecturally, they are two storeys with seven first-floor windows arranged 3:4, the bay to the right set back. Stucco detailing includes horizontal rustication to the ground floor, drawn into voussoirs over openings. A crowning architrave, frieze and cornice, with dentils to the right, is finished with a blocking course. Ground and first floors have original 2/2 horizontal-pane sashes; the second floor has 6/6 sashes, and the basement has 3/6 sashes. The right-hand entrances have flights of roll-edged steps leading to 2-panel doors, the left one part-glazed, with overlights; the right door is located in the set-back range. The left return has three blind first-floor windows, horizontal rustication to the ground floor, and a first-floor band, topped by a crowning dentil entablature.

The interiors retain original joinery, including panelled shutters to the right, although the remainder of the interior has not been inspected. The first-floor continuous balcony features a lozenge and star motif. Window boxes to the ground floor are decorated with a rail and scroll motif, while the second-floor window guards to the right house have a rod and circle motif. Area spearhead railings extend to the sides of the steps.

No. 2 was originally known as Segrave House. All the listed buildings along Pittville Lawn form a good group.