Bonnington House

Bonnington House is a Jacobean mansion, likely designed by Alexander Black around 1858 and incorporating a substantially earlier house dating from 1622, with later additions from around 1720. It is a symmetrical, rectangular-plan, double-pile building of two storeys and an attic, set over a low basement, and originally comprised seven bays. The exterior is rendered with honey-coloured sandstone dressings, exhibiting string courses, an eaves band, corner bartizans, a balustrade, buckle quoins, shaped gables, and chamfered arrises.

The east elevation presents a symmetrical block with a balustraded terrace wall. The central three-bay entrance block is slightly advanced, featuring a shaped gable. The elaborate doorpiece is constructed of solid stone and includes a round-headed door framed by banded Doric columns supporting an entablature, strapwork, and amphorae. A nine-panelled door with an Edinburgh handle and plate-glass arched fanlight is set within. Flanking console-keystoned niches display eagles on pedestals. Symmetrically disposed windows are present at the first floor, with a single window in the gablehead, featuring strapwork detailing. Wallhead balustrade is interrupted by stone dormer windows with decorative, shaped pediments capped by crescent finials. The corner bartizans are “pepperpot” shaped, with ogival lead roofs and tall finials.

The west elevation mirrors the east, showcasing a seven-bay, symmetrical design with a shaped gable over the central three bays. A plain stone stair leads to a glazed porch over a narrow moulded door, seemingly part of the original 1622 house. The first-floor windows are symmetrically placed, with a single window in the gablehead. Dormer windows interrupt the balustrade and feature shaped pediments adorned with floral and thistle finials. Corner bartizans, of the same “pepperpot” design as on the east elevation, are also present.

The south elevation has a shaped M-gabled design, incorporating corner bartizans and a square projecting bay window positioned off-centre to the left. Three windows are symmetrically grouped on the first floor, with windows set within the flanking gableheads. A remnant raggle (a low wall) of a former lean-to shed or greenhouse is visible immediately to the right of the bay window, above a panelled door giving access to the house. A stepped brick retaining wall with ball finials runs to the right. Plain steps lead to the terrace area.

The north elevation mirrors the south with a shaped M-gable. A stone stair descends to the basement on the outer left, while a symmetrical grouping of three bays is visible at both the first and second floors, with windows in the gablehead.

The windows are predominantly sash and case, with eight-pane and four-pane glazing. Fixed glazing is found in the lancet windows of the bartizans. The roof is covered in grey slate, laid in a piend style. Ten square chimney stacks are united under a cornice, creating a rooftop feature. Decorative rainwater heads are positioned on either side of the main entrance, and cast-iron rainwater goods are present over the centre bay of the west elevation, incorporating a fleur-de-lis panel and square rainwater heads dated 1858.

The interior of the house was not inspected in August 1992.