Dillington House

Dillington House is a large country house, now a residential training college, with origins in the 16th and 17th centuries but substantially reshaped around 1838 by Sir James Pennethorne for J.E. Lee.

The building is constructed of ham stone ashlar with Welsh slate roofs featuring stone verges between coped gables, and octagonal ashlar chimney stacks arranged in groups. It displays a seven-unit roof over an H-plan form, rising to two storeys.

The west elevation comprises seven bays, of which the outer bays project. A plinth and string courses run across the elevation, with a quatrefoil open parapet to the centre bays and gables to each bay. The windows are hollow-chamfered mullioned lights with 4-centre arched lights set in hollowed recesses, with labels above and continuous strings below. The outer bays feature angled corner buttresses with 4-light transomed windows below and 4-light plain windows above. Bays 2 and 6 project slightly and contain 2-light windows, while bays 3 and 5 have pairs of 4-light windows below and single windows above. Bay 4 contains a 4-light window above. All but the outer windows are ornamentally leaded. Projecting from the lower bay 4 is a tall single-storey porch with angled corner buttresses, a shield over the doorway, and quatrefoil panels below a crenellated parapet with quatrefoil panelled merlons. The outer doorway is 4-centre-arched with a cambered-arched inner doorway. The ceiling is octo-partite vaulted and mounted on the south wall is an ornamental late 16th or early 17th century door, probably from a previous building on the site.

The east elevation also comprises seven bays, though the inner bays are of differing widths. The outer bays are similar in treatment to those of the west elevation. Bays 2 and 6 have 4-light windows, bays 3 and 5 are very narrow with single-light windows to the first floor only. The centre bay has a 4-light window above set higher than the remainder, with a shield in the gable over, and below a projecting single-storey bay with 4-centre-arched lights—one to each side and three to the front—and French doors. The bay features heavily moulded copings and a pair of corner turrets.

The south elevation comprises three bays with 2-light transomed upper windows, a pair to the centre bay. Below, occupying rather more than the central bay, is an orangery measuring two bays by five bays, with small-pane French doors in 4-centre-arched openings. The orangery features elaborate coving moulding with vine decoration and four pinnacles, no parapet, and a hipped glass roof.

On the north side, linked but set on lower ground, is a two-storey two-bay servants' wing matching the main house in general character, with pinnacle finishes to dormers, gable copings and kneelers. Over the single-storey link to the main house is a small plain bellcote. Parts of the north wall and the upper window of bay 7 on the east elevation may be 17th century work.

The interior features an entrance hall spanning most of the front with a rib and panel ceiling, stone flag floor, and stone screens to each end wall featuring three 4-centre arches. Similar doorways serve rooms on the east side. To the centre arch in the north wall is the staircase, and in the east wall is a heavy-detailed Gothic-style fireplace. All ground floor rooms are of interest. The dining room, centrally positioned on the east front, has an elaborate panelled ceiling with pendant drops, a marble fireplace, and timber Gothic-style doorcases. The south-east and south rooms are similar, featuring elaborate foliated ceiling covings, simpler fireplaces, and pendant ceiling roses. A 15th century screen with arches stands opposite the kitchen. The first floor was not examined, but a 18th century carved chimney piece is noted in one bedroom.

The building's origins are not recorded, though sections of the north crosswing may predate 1551, built by John Bonvile. The house was extended around 1600 by Sir George Speke and later amended by Lord North. An 1831 drawing illustrates the substantial changes made in 1838. By tradition, some elements are said to come from Barrington Court.