The Down House

The Down House is a country house dating back to 1823, originally designed by Thomas Rickman for G. Dowdeswell. It was subsequently altered in 1875 by F. S. Waller for Col. S. G. Scobell, with further alterations occurring around 1960. The exterior is rendered to imitate ashlar, with a slate roof. The main front comprises five bays, with a three-bay arrangement to the centre. A prominent feature is the central, four-columned, fluted Doric porch, accessed by three stone steps, incorporating a plain frieze and flat roof. Double doors with three panels, dummy fielded panels, and a rectangular fanlight above are set into the porch. The interior includes dado rails with guilloche moulding. The entrance hall features a marble fireplace with tapered sides, a moulded plaster cornice, and cantilevered stone stairs leading upwards, supported by fluted Doric columns at the central landing. A cantilevered balcony is positioned above this landing, featuring brass balusters and a moulded handrail. Various rooms throughout the house retain original moulded plaster cornices and panelled shutters. The rear of the property incorporates a plain Ionic screen with fluted friezes and palmettes, framing a fireplace. The Greek revival house originally had its main entrance on the right return side, but this was altered by F. S. Waller to the present configuration. Between 1958 and 1960, a three-storey servants' wing was demolished, and a new back stair was incorporated.