’Lakeview’, 100 Parsonage Road, Kircubbin, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT22 2RL

Lakeview is a substantial two-storey farmhouse with a large hipped roof, probably dating from the second half of the 18th century (around 1750 according to the current owner). A full-height return wing was added around 1820, blending reasonably well with the original structure, though later alterations have detracted from its Georgian character.

The front (west) elevation is symmetrical. At its centre stands a gabled porch with a finial, topped with asbestos-free slates. To the right of the porch is a timber-panel door, with a large modern mullioned window featuring a decorative moulded surround. To the left is a sliding sash and case window with horizontal and vertical astragals and matching moulded surround; similar windows, slightly shorter, occupy the first floor, evenly spaced across the elevation.

The south elevation shows the side of the main house merging into the flush full-height return. Ground and first floor windows appear on both sides of this elevation, similar to the front but without moulded surrounds. Between these groups, at an intermediate (stairwell) level, is a taller window with a semicircular arch head. Attached to the rear of the return is a single-storey extension with a mono pitch roof, fitted with a modern glazed door featuring a reproduction classical surround and a small similar window to its right; the remainder is largely blank and partly covered in vegetation.

The north elevation of the main house has a single window at ground floor centre. Attached flush to the north side is a single-storey store extension with a largely mono pitch roof and a sliding sash and case window (without astragals) covered by a grill. A wall extends from this extension, enclosing a large yard to the rear. An elliptical arch coach doorway opens from the north elevation of this wall. The rear of the main house retains windows as described and a single-storey lean-to extension. Within the rear yard stand large hipped-roof outbuildings.

The façade of the main house is finished in lined render with moulded chamfered quoins; the rear and single-storey extensions are rendered in plain render. The roof of the main house, including the full-height return, is hipped with Bangor blue slates. Two yellow brick chimneys stand at the centre of the main house, with a tall narrow red brick chimney to the rear. PVC ogee gutters and square downspouts complete the rainwater arrangements.

The gabled front porch is clearly a late Victorian or Edwardian addition. The moulded surrounds to the front windows may date from the same period, though their geometric appearance could indicate a 1920s or 1930s date.

Historical records confirm the house's significance. It is shown marked 'Lakeview' on the 1834 Ordnance Survey map and appears in the 1836 valuation, graded B+, indicating considerable age and suggesting a mid- to late-18th-century date. The same valuation records that the building served as the manse for Kircubbin Presbyterian Church (the present manse in the town centre was built in 1861). By the second valuation of around 1861, having ceased to function as a manse, the property was occupied by Robert Hayes. The house has borne the name 'Lakeview' since its construction, though the former views towards Strangford Lough have long been obscured by trees.