Knockhouse Farm

Detached three-bay two-storey farmhouse, extant 1841, on a rectangular plan; five-bay two-storey rear (west) elevation. Refenestrated. Hipped slate roof extending into lean-to slate roof (west), clay ridge tiles, paired limestone ashlar central chimney stacks having stepped capping, rooflights (west), and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes Lime rendered coursed rubble limestone walls with concealed cut-limestone flush quoins to corners. Segmental-headed central door opening with cut-limestone step, doorcase with monolithic pilasters on plinths supporting archivolt centred on scroll keystone framing timber panelled door having fanlight. Square-headed window openings with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed cut-limestone voussoirs framing replacement six-over-six sash windows. Round-headed off-central window opening (west) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sill, and concealed cut-limestone voussoirs framing three-over-six timber sash window. Square-headed window openings with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing casement windows. Set in own grounds.

A farmhouse erected by Henry Perceval (1796-1841), fifth Earl of Egmont, representing an integral component of the nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of the rural environs of Churchtown with the architectural value of the composition suggested by such attributes as the compact rectilinear plan form centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase showing a simple radial fanlight; the uniform or near-uniform proportions of the openings on each floor; and the roof showing a slab-like slate finish. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings; and a nearby gate lodge recalling a contemporary gate lodge at Cregane House (see 20901604), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained estate making a pleasing visual statement in a sylvan street scene.