Velvetstown House

Remains of detached L-plan two-storey house, built 1875, burnt 1895, having five-bay front, west, elevation, with two-bay off-centre breakfront with entrance bay, two-bay north end having remains of canted-bay windows, recessed five-bay return to north, north-most bay projecting slightly. South wall removed. Yellow brick facing to front and north elevations, having series of red brick bands, with red brick dog tooth course below sill level of first floor, carved limestone courses at ground floor sill and plinth levels, with decorative cut-stone discs between floors, yellow brick brackets to eaves and buttresses to corners, latter of yellow brick and having bands and string courses continuing those of walls proper. Rubble limestone walls to east elevation. Single-light, double-light and triple-light and paired pointed segmental-arch window openings with triple-coursed brick voussoirs, cut limestone keystones and bases to reveals. Triple-light window to east elevation having cut-limestone arrangement to upper half comprising quatrefoil lights over pointed arch lights atop lintels. Ashlar limestone tripartite doorcase, comprising pointed segmental-arch door opening with red brick voussoirs and limestone keystone flanked square-headed sidelights, all openings having chamfered pilasters, having moulded capitals and bases, latter being part of string course, and with decorative carved limestone buttress attached to north. Earlier house to north.

This imposing Italianate-style late nineteenth-century country house was built by Christopher Croft. It sheer size and scale and its location on elevated ground overlooking the surrounding farmland, together with the use of a combination of bright polychrome bricks and limestone on its main facades, make it a strikingly handsome building. The variety of windows and the quality of the craftsmanship evident in the brick and limestone details is very fine. It is thus an important historical and architectural landmark.