Asby Hall, Area Railings And Central Gate

Asby Hall is a house dating to 1694, with later additions from the mid-18th century. It is constructed of coursed squared rubble with quoins. The east wall retains elements of an earlier 17th-century structure, including quoins, a plinth, and window surrounds, showing the original building was only half its current depth. The graduated slate roof has stepped and corniced stone end chimneys, and moulded wooden eaves. The front elevation is symmetrical, arranged over three storeys and three bays. It is wet-dashed. A central part-glazed door is set within a doorcase featuring Tuscan pilasters and a dated coat of arms above the door. Single sash windows are located above the door on each floor, while tripartite sash windows appear on each floor at either end. The rear elevation has four bays with tripartite sash windows to the left and single sash windows to the right on each floor. Other features include steps leading to a part-glazed door, a large sash stair window above, and a full-height transomed window with a stone surround to the servants' stair. All windows have glazing bars. Inside, original panelled doors, dado rails (some with Vitruvian scroll carvings), a closed string servants' stair, and a cut string main stair remain. The main stair features turned balusters, fluted rectangular newels, and a ramped handrail. Several 18th-century cornicised fireplaces survive; the one in the first-floor front (east) room has bayleaf and rosette decoration. This room also contains a glazed corner cupboard with an internal wooden ribbed semidome and shaped shelves. Area railings stand upon a low wall in front of the house. The wrought-iron area railings consist of a scrollwork panel separating groups of standards, positioned either side of a large central double gate. The gate has an ornate overthrow, openwork spearhead standards, and scrollwork decoration, likely dating from the mid-19th century.