Southfield House

Southfield House is a large former mill owner’s house, now a detached residence, dating to the late 16th century with substantial additions around 1690, circa 1750, and in the late 18th century. The construction is primarily random rubble and ashlar limestone, with some roughcast render, rendered ashlar, and brick chimneys. The roof is stone slate. The building has a two-story main block with an attic, augmented by a large, circa 1690 addition forming an L-shaped plan, and a two-story wing and stair hall to the east.

The west front features the original three-gabled house, with one gable partially hidden by the 1690 addition. It exhibits cavetto and chamfered mullioned casement windows, all with hood moulds. The ground floor has two three-light and one single-light casements, with a Tudor arched doorway and plank door. The upper floor has three three-light casements, and the gables contain two two-light and two single-light attic casements. The main block's 1690 addition has symmetrical five-window fenestration on both ground and upper floors. Most windows are cross windows with fine bolection moulded architraves, with the exception of a central upper floor twelve-pane sash window, featuring thick glazing bars and a decorated keystone. A projecting cornice is positioned above each row of fenestration. The attic gables have two-light casements with hood moulds and keyed ovals above.

The south side displays the gable end of the main range, with paired twelve-pane sashes with thick glazing bars and beaded architraves under hood moulds to ground and upper floors, and a single four-pane attic sash with hood mould and keyed oval above. The rear elevation exhibits various additions from circa 1750 and the late 18th century, obscuring most of the original structure except for one gable, which has a brick-rebuilt gable-mounted chimney. Additions include a staircase hall with north and south end gables, two round-arched stair sashes, a doorway with a flat porch hood on scrolled brackets, and a double three-panel fielded door. There is also a projecting wing with an octagonal plan, featuring large eight-pane nineteenth-century sash windows and a hipped roof. Further gabled block is situated in the angle between the wing and the staircase hall. The north side has a lengthened section to the east, thanks to the addition of a wing featuring two eight-pane sashes with timber lintels in a brick wall. The fenestration of this section is mixed, with some mullioned windows to the right.

Inside, a fine open well staircase is present, with three barley sugar balusters per tread, scrolled open strings, wreathed handrails above a double curtail step, fluted newel posts, and matching dado panelling. The ceiling is coved with a central rose. A notable feature is the “Oak Room,” built to receive Frederick, Prince of Wales, encompassing carved swags and a contemporary fireplace. Oak panelling in the dining room originated from Kingscote Park. One of two original spiral staircases remains. The elaborate circa 1750 additions were commissioned for Onesephorus Paul in preparation for Frederick's tour of the local clothing industries. A mid-18th century garden wall remains to the west.