Berkeley Forest House

Detached five-bay (five-bay deep) two-storey country house, built 1780-5, on an L-shaped plan including single-bay two-storey end bay with half-dormer attic (south); single-bay (four-bay deep) single-storey return with half-dormer attic (west). Leased, 1901-11. Vacant, 1940. Sold, 1957. Hipped slate roof on an L-shaped plan abutting hipped slate roof (west) with clay ridge tiles, granite ashlar chimney stacks having ogee-detailed stringcourses below capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta pots, sproketed eaves, and replacement uPVC rainwater goods on timber eaves boards on slightly overhanging slate flagged eaves retaining some cast-iron downpipes; pitched double-pile (M-profile) slate roof (end bay) with clay ridge tiles, red brick Running bond chimney stacks (south) having ogee-detailed stringcourses below capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta octagonal pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron hopper and downpipe; hipped gabled and pitched slate roof (west) with clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stack having red brick stepped capping supporting terracotta pots, rooflights (north), and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered, ruled and lined walls on rendered plinth with rusticated rendered quoins to corners; part slate hung surface finish to rear (west) elevation; rendered battered walls (end bay) with sections of slate hung surface finish (south); part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered walls (west). Segmental-headed central door opening behind (single-storey) prostyle distyle portico approached by flight of three cut-granite steps with cut-granite columns on plinths supporting ogee-detailed cornice on blind frieze below parapet, and cut-granite doorcase with engaged columns on plinths originally supporting open bed pediment on "dosserets" framing timber panelled double doors having fanlight. "Venetian Window" (first floor) with cut-granite sill, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash window without horns having fanlight with two-over-two sidelights. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing nine-over-six timber sash windows without horns. Square-headed window openings (end bay) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing four-over-four or two-over-four (half-dormer attic) timber sash windows without horns. Square-headed window openings (west) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six (ground floor) or three-over-three (half-dormer attic) timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining flagged floor, carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; square-headed door opening into staircase hall with carved timber surround framing timber panelled door; double-height staircase hall (west) retaining flagged floor, carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, staircase on a dog leg plan with "match stick" balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in volute, carved timber Classical-style surround to window opening to half-landing framing timber panelled reveals or shutters, carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber panelled doors, and decorative plasterwork cornice to coved ceiling; dining room (south) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters, chimneypiece, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; drawing room (north) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters, chimneypiece, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters. Set in landscaped grounds.