Dover Cottage And Dover House

Dover Cottage and Dover House are a detached house, originally one dwelling but now occupied separately. The core of the building dates back to the 17th century, with a substantial addition constructed around 1720, likely for a member of the Loveday family. The cottage section may have been the original house, to which the 18th-century block was added. The construction materials are limestone ashlar for the main block, coursed squared block for the cottage, and concrete tile roofing.

The 18th-century block is two storeys with an attic and basement, featuring three windows across the front and one window to the side. It has 12-pane sash windows on the lower floor, which are longer than those above, set within eaved, moulded architraves with keystones and moulded cills. A two-light casement dormer window is situated centrally at the top of the front, left return, and rear elevations, beneath a slightly cambered roof line. The left return elevation mirrors the front and includes a segmental-headed two-light casement window to the basement, accessed by steps. A gabled stair turret is located near the rear, with a tall sash window above a 20th-century glazed door; further a 12-pane sash and a 20th-century steel casement are situated in the gable.

The front and side elevations exhibit symmetry, featuring V-joint quoins, plain string aprons below the first-floor windows, and a modillion cornice leading to a hipped roof on the left and a gable on the right. A central six-panel, part-glazed door is set within a pilaster case, topped with scroll supporters to a decorative fill pediment and frieze. A rebuilt double stone stack is found behind the house, adjacent to the stair turret, and a single stone stack is present on the right gable.

The cottage section has a single window on its front elevation, featuring a 6-pane over 12-pane sash window set within flush surrounds, with the front wall rising to a parapet with plain coping. It has a half-hip roof and a small stack reconstructed in stone. Varying window patterns are found on the sides and back, including stone-mullioned 17th-century casement windows. The cottage projects to form an L-shaped plan, stepping down with the site's slope.

The interior of the main block is compact. A room on the right side, accessible directly from the main door, features an unusual late 18th-century stone fireplace with egg and dart enrichment to the mantel shelf, alongside Gothick low relief panelling on the pilasters. Original fielded panel doors and a moulded cornice are also present. An adjoining smaller room boasts further 18th-century fireplaces flanked by niche cupboards with rococo scroll decoration in painted wood, and fielded panelling with shutters to all ground floor sash windows. A dog-leg staircase features two turned balusters per tread, a swept handrail, and dado panelling with sweeps. Good oak strip floors and many original doors have been retained. The roof is said to have been rebuilt after the Second World War. The cottage retains an open bressumer fire and a spiral stair.