The Priory

The Priory is a large house, likely dating to the mid-17th century, with reputed origins in the 16th century, and altered in the late 18th or early 19th century. It incorporates the earlier Little Priors. The house is constructed of coursed, squared, and dressed limestone with stone slate and artificial stone slate roofing, and features ashlar stacks, one of which has been restored with artificial stone. It has a rectangular main body with a later extension to the north-west corner and is two storeys and an attic in height. The south front is almost symmetrical, with a triple-gabled, five-window arrangement. Remains of a plinth are visible, partly ashlar and partly rubble to the left of the front door. The ground floor has five 12-pane sash windows with plain architraves, while the first floor also has five sash windows, similar to those below. Two 6-pane sashes are located within each gable, both with dressed stone surrounds. A blocked single-light window sits centrally within the main gable, incorporating an ovolo-moulded surround and a stopped hood. Straight joints on the ground and first floors indicate the locations of former windows. Surviving ovolo-moulded stone mullions at the rear, along with the refenestration of the south front in the late 18th or early 19th century, suggests the original window layout was altered at this time. The central front door is six-panelled, now with four glazed panels within a restored concrete surround and pulvinated frieze. A 12-pane sash window is present at the right gable end. A smaller, set-back gable to the right has a Venetian window on the first floor. A lean-to extension has a 20th-century glass door. A 20th-century conservatory is set back at the north-west corner, featuring a central glass door flanked by sash windows. The right gable end has flat coping, while the forward-facing gables have stepped coping and roll-cross saddles. A large, composite axial stack rises from the building, with four shafts and a moulded capping. The interior has been substantially altered in the 18th century. The front right-hand room is panelled with cusped decoration along the top rail of each panel, accompanied by fluted pilasters at intervals. Doors and shutters also feature cusped panelling, along with a frieze with occasional strapwork panels. Two shell-headed corner alcoves are present. A small 18th-century fireplace has a lugged wood surround with floral swags and fluted decoration. Panelled doors with lugged architraves are a feature throughout the ground floor. Only the ground floor was inspected.