Maplehurst Guesthouse, 42 Abbotsford Road

Maplehurst Guesthouse, located at 42 Abbotsford Road, is a two-storey, basement and attic, four-bay, square-plan Arts and Crafts villa built between 1904 and 1906 by J and J Hall. It is situated on a raised site and features half-timbered gabled bays with overhanging bracketed eaves. The villa has canted and squared projecting sandstone windows, along with a circular and octagonal corner tower topped with a distinctive wrought iron weather vane on the south side. A prominent asymmetrical projecting stone chimney adds to its character, as does the corniced arched entrance, which includes a doorpiece with an intricate timber and stained glass door screen. The building has a tall rock-faced base course and is rendered with smooth red sandstone margins and strip quoins, while the chimney, projecting windows, and base course are finished in rock-faced stonework.

The windows are timber side-hung casements with lattice leaded glazing, and there are stained glass panels in individual windows. The basement and rear feature timber sash and case windows. The roof is piended slate with rendered eaves and ridge stacks, a tiled ridge, and cast-iron rainwater goods.

Inside, the guesthouse showcases a fine Edwardian Arts and Crafts decorative scheme. The large open entrance hall is adorned with timber panelling and an original tapestry above. The principal rooms feature Arts and Crafts fireplaces and detailing. Notable interior elements include ornate bespoke stained glass windows with maple leaf designs and a pictorial panel on the stair depicting a woman with fruit. The entrance lobby and bathroom are panelled and include a marble-topped basin. Access to the upper floors was not possible at the time of the survey, as the property is currently used as bed and breakfast accommodation since 2006.

The property is enclosed by low coped rubble walls and features red sandstone gatepiers with matching gateposts at the pedestrian gateway to the west.