Grove Hill, 7 Mill Road, Annacloy, Downpatrick, Co Down, BT30 9AS

Grove Hill is an unusual and mildly picturesque dwelling located to the west of Mill Road, approximately two miles northwest of Downpatrick in County Down. The building stands on a slight slope descending east to west.

The house presents a complex architectural composition combining elements of one and a half, single, and two storey construction, with small gabled half dormers, an overhanging roof, and distinctive conservatory-like bays to the front. The origins of the building appear to date to before 1834, when it existed as a single storey dwelling standing approximately 9 feet in height. The structure likely assumed much of its present form during the late 19th century, when the front portion was raised to accommodate an upper floor. A large two storey return may date from the early 1900s, as may the odd single storey bays to the front, though the unconventional lack of openings to the front façade and the presence until recently of Georgian paned sash window frames suggest some features could originate from the mid-19th century. The entire property is now fitted with PVC window frames and doors throughout.

The north-facing front elevation is asymmetrical, consisting of a large central portion of one and a half storeys with single storey wings to either side. The central façade features two square, single storey bays glazed to all sides with shallow lead-covered hipped roofs, with a glazed door to the east face of the left bay. Above these bays are two windows set within small half dormers. The east wing has a single similar window, whilst the west wing displays a large tripartite window. A large single storey flat-roofed garage with garage door, pedestrian door, and window is set against the gable of the east wing.

The west elevation presents complex massing, with the gable of the west wing, the west face of the large two storey rear return, a small lean-to on the ground floor, and a single storey flat-roofed extension. The rear elevation comprises the gable of the return and the rear of the main house. A flat-roofed porch extension with PVC door and large glazed areas occupies the intersection of the return and main rear façade.

The entire façade is finished in rough cast and painted. The roof is covered in natural slate with a slight overhang to all parts except the return, which features a cast iron skylight to its west side. Four rendered chimney stacks are symmetrically arranged to the main house, with one further stack to the gable of the return. Metal rainwater goods are present throughout. A flat-roofed garage extension extends to the east side, with modern kitchen and porch extensions to the rear.

To the south of the house stands an L-shaped two storey outbuilding with a part hipped, part gabled slated roof. The east façade features a series of large brick-headed elliptical archways, two of which have been filled with modern garage doors, with another largely blocked up, leaving only two open.

Historical records indicate that the property was owned by William Perry in 1836, with the Perry family remaining in residence in 1886. Around 1900 the property was acquired by the Orr family. The Ordnance Survey map of 1834 shows a building on the site of the present main portion, whilst the revised map of 1859–60 marks it as Grovehill and shows an additional return to the east side of the rear.