Summerhill House

Detached two-storey country house, built c. 1820, with front façade comprising entrance bay flanked by three-bay canted projections, multiple-bay east and west elevations, east having canted-bay to ground floor and full-height three-bay canted projection. Twentieth-century addition to east comprising four-bay two-storey block flanked by single-storey quadrants, five-bay to west linking to main house and having blank bays flanking three windowed bays, east quadrant being five-bay colonnaded loggia. Hipped slate roofs to main house, eastern block and projecting bays, with rendered chimneystacks, and having flat roof to single-storey projecting bay. Painted lined-and-ruled rendered walls with rendered plinth and eaves courses. Ionic columns to quadrants, engaged to western and freestanding to eastern. Nude sculpted figure to round-headed niche to south end of loggia. Square-headed openings with six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows throughout, with painted sills. Elliptical-headed main entrance doorway with cobweb fanlight and having timber panelled door flanked by fluted Ionic pilasters and small-pane sidelights, with cut limestone steps. Yard of outbuildings to west side of house. North range is multiple-bay two-storey with pitched slate roofs, rendered walls, and square-headed openings with timber fittings, louvres and timber sliding three-over-six pane sash windows to first floor. West range is multiple-bay two-storey with pitched slate roof, roughcast rendered walls and square-headed openings with timber fittings. South side of yard has rendered wall with elliptical-headed integral carriage arch with stone surround and voussoirs with raised keystone. Gate lodge and gates to site.

The many bows add interest to the plan and elevation of this house. The timber sash windows add depth and texture to the façade. It has been extended in a one-sided pastiche of Palladianism, with a quadrant linking to a wing. This imposing building is sited on a prominent elevated site, and is visible from the N24 ring road, adding landscape interest. It makes an interesting group with the gate lodge and entrance gates.