Preston Park House

Preston Park House is a detached house, dating to circa 1820, and now a residential care home, with an Edwardian addition and mid- to late-20th century extensions and alterations.

The house is constructed of Hamstone, with roughcast render to the upper parts of the rear and side elevations. The hipped roof is covered with Welsh slates and has wide overhanging eaves and stacks of brick and render. Modern extensions are built of brick. The building has an accretional, roughly rectangular plan. At its core is the early 19th century three-bay house with a projecting single-storey addition to the south-east and south, and a full-height addition to the rear, built at the turn of the 20th century. Further modern extensions are to the north, south-west, and north-west; however, these are specifically excluded from group value consideration under planning legislation.

The principal east-facing elevation is of two storeys, rising to three at the rear. It features a central stone doorcase with an open pediment resting on typical Yeovil console brackets; the doorhead has a depressed arch with a simple fanlight. A modern half-glazed timber door is set within. Sash windows flank the door, and three windows are visible on the first floor, the central one being a two-light casement. Window openings are detailed with architraves and keystones, and the sash windows have small, margined panes. To the south is an Edwardian addition also built of Hamstone, with a string course and parapet, the latter rendered. The east elevation of this addition includes a bay window with large stone transoms and mullions, and a second, offset bay window to the south-east corner. Both bay windows have aluminium-framed windows with toplights. The south elevation incorporates a curving loggia divided into four bays by three tapering columns with cushion capitals, rising from square pedestals. Aluminium windows have been inserted to enclose the space behind the loggia. A flat-roofed, single-storey brick extension is located at the south-west corner. The rear elevation has three gables defining each of the bays. The windows are a mix of casements, mullions, mullion and transom arrangements, and horned sashes, with leaded lights to the middle floor, except for the right-hand end; the central window has diamond-shaped leaded lights.

The interior ground floor plan has been altered in the 20th century. The principal entrance leads into a small lobby, and a second door opens onto a short corridor and a plain timber staircase. Few historic fittings remain, although the rooms within the Edwardian addition retain dentil cornices and dado rails. One room features a timber overmantel with fluted columns, although the fireplace itself has been blocked.