Ridgeway

Ridgeway is a house incorporating elements from the 18th and 19th centuries. The core of the house is a well-proportioned three-storey Georgian range facing south. Two symmetrical Regency wings of two storeys have been added to the left and right, projecting boldly to the south. A modern sun-room has been added between the wings. The original entrance is on the east side, at the flank of the right-hand Regency wing, and is sheltered by an outer porch. To the northwest of the main house stands an earlier building, now serving as a service wing. The walls are generally rendered, with low-pitched slate roofs and rendered chimneys.

The south elevation of the Georgian centre features a range of three sixteen-pane sash windows. The first-floor windows are taller than those above but are curiously slightly narrower, with their outer panes of reduced width. The Regency wings are each one window wide on the south elevation. Above the left window is a twelve-pane sash window, while the window recess in the right wing is a blank panel. Below, on both wings, are double French windows set within oval-arched recesses. A plat band runs at upper sill level.

Similar window patterns are found on the return elevations. On the east side, there are three sash windows to the left of the entrance and two French windows below. The main entrance at the right of the east elevation is sheltered by a three-sided flat-roofed porch with plain arches. Above the door is a large fanlight, reminiscent of Dublin designs, but unusually positioned above the porch roof, illuminating the stair landing.

The house plan is based on the longitudinal central corridor of the Georgian house, with a new main entrance created into the side of the east Regency wing.

The Regency hallway is accessed under the stair landing. The lower flights are double, the upper flight is single, all aligned on the entrance axis. The staircase features timber treads and cast-iron balusters with an oak handrail sweeping between flights without intermediary newels. The bottom and top newels are large and ornate. A dado matches the handrails, with similarly ornate half-newels. The staircase’s construction is distinctly unusual and may rely on concealed cast-iron supports or cantilevers.

The hallway leads to the passage of the earlier Georgian house, from which a surviving earlier rear staircase can be seen. This staircase continues to the second storey, displaying a half-landing layout, a small open well, and a handrail in a Chinese Chippendale style. The newels are plain.

The drawing room contains a Regency fireplace with a Victorian insert, alongside a thin Regency ceiling cornice. The billiard room—now a dining room—in the west wing features an early Renaissance Flemish chimneypiece, comprising short fluted columns with lion consoles, a tall hood with green-man decoration, and a box-like ornament display housing centrally, all crafted in timber.