Unlawater House

Unlawater House is a large detached dwelling, originally a hotel, dating from the early and late 18th century. It is now divided into eight flats and stands within its own grounds. The river frontage is smooth rendered, while the rest of the building is painted brick, with a Welsh slate hipped roof to the river block and slate (with one concrete plain tile facing south) to the remainder. The house is U-shaped, with the oldest part facing south onto Lower High Street.

The principal front, facing the river, is two storeys high and features a parapet pierced with circular openings. It has two large bows, each with three windows to each floor, and a central window above the door. All windows are cross mullion and transom with rectangular leaded panes. A pair of new panelled doors is set within a fluted Ionic pilaster doorcase with a pediment and decorated frieze. The return block to the south is three and a half storeys high with irregular window placement. The ground floor includes a canted bay, while the upper floors feature casement windows with transomes and one sash window on the first floor, along with four 19th-century dormers. A six-panel door is centrally positioned.

The entrance hall in the south wing has a fluted Ionic pillar screen, early 18th-century painted panelling, a dentil frieze, and several round or elliptical openings. A remnant of a 17th-century fireplace remains, along with recent modifications to accommodate new doors. A very fine early 19th-century staircase in oak rises through two storeys around the well, with three balusters to each tread, alternating spiral and plain designs, a swept and wreathed handrail, a panelled dado, and an arched stair window with heavy ovolo bars facing north. A modillion cornice is found at the top landing. Remnants of quarter-column hall decoration exist in the East (main) wing.