Spring Hill House

Spring Hill House is a substantial building in Nailsworth, considered the finest in the village. While purportedly dating to circa 1672, it is more likely to be an early 18th-century structure. The house is constructed of ashlar and is arranged over three storeys with five windows by two. It features glazing bar sash windows, many with 19th-century square bay windows on the ground floor to the right, set within bolection architraves and having moulded stone sills. Moulded stone string courses run along the floor levels. The roof is now tiled and hipped, with two gabled dormers and end chimneys; it was originally of lead. A notable feature is the large stone shell hood, supported by carved scroll brackets, with a bolection surround, pilasters with moulded panels, and concrete lions' heads to the plinths. This shelters a half-glazed door approached by semi-circular steps. An early 19th-century three and two-storey extension is present to the rear, with alterations to the rear of the main house, featuring four storeys of irregularly spaced windows, incorporating mullion-style windows with rebated ogee mouldings characteristic of the early 18th century, as well as drip moulds. Original lead rainwater heads are retained. Internally, the house retains “William and Mary” panelling in three rooms. The ground floor room to the right has a shell-shaped recess above a six-panel door, positioned to the right of a modern fireplace. The left-hand ground floor room contains a fine, Adam-style fireplace. A particularly significant feature is the original half-spiral staircase, leading from the basement to the attic. This staircase is characterised by turned balusters, one per tread with scroll end carvings, and a panelled dado. The balusters extend across the landings, and the string is carved with garlands.