Woodbourne House

Woodbourne House

A house of late 18th or early 19th century date with late 19th or early 20th century alterations.

The building is constructed of stone, with the north range faced in ashlar and the south range in rougher dressed stone. It features casement windows with ovolo moulded stone mullions, some with stone transoms. Cast-iron rainwater goods are present, with rainwater hoppers to the north elevation embossed with fleur-de-lis.

The building is oriented roughly north-south, aligned with West Shepton Road, and occupies a C-shaped plan with north and south ranges extending east. It is two storeys high.

The north range has a pitched roof with an off-centre projecting gable with coped verges. The north elevation forms the principal entrance front and comprises two irregular bays. The left bay features a canted bay window with balustrade extending over both storeys. Within the projecting gable above is a tripartite window beneath a pediment. The projecting gable and both gable ends are finished with stone ball finials.

The right bay contains an elaborate classical doorcase at ground floor level. The panelled door is surrounded by a recessed elliptical arch, flanked by single light openings with leaded stained glass windows and shell mouldings above. Above the door and windows is a dentil cornice and moulded frieze. The doorcase is capped by a blank domed panel with scrolled strapwork to either side. A mullion window sits above at first floor level.

The south range has a pitched roof with a stack at each gable end. The south elevation comprises two bays of dressed stone terminating in quoins on either side. The left bay has a broad canted bay window to the ground floor with clay tiles above, and a stone mullioned window at first floor level. The right bay has stone mullioned windows at each floor. East of this elevation is a single storey lean-to with pitched roof. Extending east from the lean-to is a greenhouse built on brick foundations with glazing and glazed roof. The west elevation has been rendered and features a central mullioned window at first floor level.

The main entrance in the north range gives access to a polychromatic tiled entrance hallway with an L-shaped staircase. The staircase has a moulded newel post capped with a ball finial and decorative balustrade. Newel posts at the top continue up to the ceiling to form a canopy beneath a glazed lantern with some stained glass.

Six-panelled doors are found throughout. The first doorway to the east opens to a drawing room with moulded cornice and picture rail beneath. On the south wall is a fireplace with timber chimneypiece, tiled surround and hearth, with brass servant bells to either side. The passageway leads under the stair to the southern range, which contains another drawing room with parquet floor, and a kitchen with access to a utility room and pantry. This range is generally more modest in its fittings.

The first floor contains a bathroom and three bedrooms retaining some joinery, with the north bedroom having a tiled cast-iron fireplace. Two further rooms occupy the attic space.