Watercombe House

Watercombe House is a detached house dating from the early 18th century, substantially rebuilt between 1799 and 1833 by Thomas Baker for his own residence. The house is constructed of random and coursed rubble limestone, with ashlar and rendered brick chimneys, and stone and Welsh slate roofs. It follows a double-pile plan, with a three-storey main block and a two-storey service and stable addition to the north.

The east front has a three-window arrangement, featuring 3-light timber casements with small panes, all with timber lintels. Hoodmoulds are present above the ground and middle floor casements. A central doorway is framed by Regency architraves, and features double panelled doors and a wrought iron porch with a tent roof. The porch’s ironwork includes the initials ‘T B’ and the date ‘1844’. Chimneys flank the ends of the main block, with the north service addition having east-facing 3-light chamfered mullioned casements and a doorway with a timber lintel. The service wing's roof is hipped at the north end; the north elevation has an oval arched coach doorway and a round arched stable door with a fanlight. A ridge-mounted chimney is initialled ‘T B’ and dated ‘1833’ and ‘1799’ to the front and rear faces respectively. The rear elevation includes a central, oval arched doorway which gives access at middle floor level, bridging a deep area; this doorway is now blocked and replaced with a casement. There are two 3-light mullioned casements to the ground floor, and leaded casements to the upper floors.

Inside, doorways and fireplaces are characterised by bold reeded architraves with roundels to the corners. A staircase features stick balusters and wreathed handrail terminals. Part of an original spiral stair is retained in the south gable. The service wing contains a fine timber cider press with a wooden screw, dated '1811 T.B.'. A small summer house is located on the garden terrace to the south west.