Seamark

Detached three-bay two-storey house over basement with advanced end-bays, built c.1825, altered c.1920. Recent extension to side (east). Hipped slate roof with moulded eaves cornice, rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Flat roof to extension. Roughcast rendered walls with stepped smooth rendered plinth and exposed stone quoins. Triple round-headed openings with four-over-four timber sliding sash and fixed pane windows having carved stone hood mouldings, mullions, and corbels to ground floor end bays. Triple square-headed openings with four-over-four timber sliding sash windows with stone mullions to first floor end bays. Square-headed six-over-six timber sliding sash window to central block, sides, and rear. Stone sills throughout. Round-headed door opening with timber battened door having spoked fanlight, flanking side lights comprising round-headed eight-over-six timber sliding sash windows, and approached by flight of stone steps. Round-headed eight-over-six timber sliding sash windows to ground floor central block. Outbuilding to rear. Extensive gardens to front and rear. Concrete and rendered walls with two flights of steps to front. Rubble limestone boundary walls with gate piers to front and sides.

This imposing house, along with Stone Hall and The Rectory, forms a group of three distinct houses sharing similar design traits, such as the advanced end bays. Stone Hall appears to be the earliest house of the group, while the others were built by members of the Allen family within its grounds. The symmetry of the windows, round-headed doorcase and central chimneystacks are features attributable to the Georgian period, while the fine stone craftsmanship seen in the triple windows and carved stone detailing dates to the early twentieth century. The grandeur of the house is accentuated by its raised location and prominent siting.