Vaynor

Vaynor is a two-storey house with an attic, dating from the 18th century, facing east towards lawned gardens. The house is constructed of rubble masonry, with remnants of old render visible on both the front and rear elevations. The gable ends have been re-rendered. The roof is slate, with tile ridges, 19th-century brick end-chimneys and a similar mid-chimney.

The front elevation shows signs of having lost a deep decorative cornice at the eaves. It is characterised by a range of six windows on the first storey, slightly irregularly spaced – two to the left, three in the centre, and one to the right. The ground storey has three windows and two blocked apertures. All windows are sash type with exposed frames; the first-storey windows are slightly larger than those on the ground storey, and all have double-square proportions with 18 panes of glass. A notable feature is the doorway, which has Corinthian columns, although the stonework has weathered and suffered some damage. Above the door is a broken round pediment displaying the Skyrme family arms. There are flat fluted pilasters, and the door itself has panelled double lock rails and six other panels, the top two being glazed.

The rear elevation is an irregular three-storey range with four windows, including a tall round-headed window lighting the staircase. This window is sash construction with margin glazing. The top-storey windows have twelve panes with horizontally sliding sashes. The first-storey windows are conventional sashes with 18 panes, while those on the ground storey have 24 panes. The windows generally contain handmade glass. The rear door consists of six panels, with the top two being glazed and a small glazed overlight above.

A rear wing, originally a single storey—its eaves now at the level of the present upper window sills—was extended to two storeys. It has 19th- or 20th-century windows. A modern lean-to conservatory is present at the south side.

The house was originally planned with principal rooms on the first floor. The main staircase is a dogleg design with a half-landing, featuring close strings and a large moulded handrail against a square, plain bottom newel. There are turned balusters with square ends. A matching balustered dado runs along the wall of the lower flight, with panelling on the upper flight. A particularly interesting feature is an early example of a children's safety gate at the landing. This gate has tall stiles, with the outer stile scribed to match the mouldings of the landing newel against which it closes, and a hollowed wall to accommodate the hinge stile. It has wrought iron clasping hinges and is constructed of an open lattice of bars and rails above two solid lower panels.

The first-floor sitting room retains Georgian panelling, a large ceiling cornice, a carved timber chimneypiece with a black marble insert, and an heraldic iron fireback. After being used as two bedrooms, this room has been restored to a single space. Doors throughout the house are generally wide and of two panels, fitted with wrought-iron strap hinges.