Description

Central block 1789; extended and reordered late 19th century. 2-storey, 3-bay symmetrical Classical-style house made a-symmetrical through late 19th century reordering. Polished sandstone principal elevation; raised margins; rusticated long and short ashlar quoins to ground floor. Continuous base, string and blocking course with cornice. Single bay, 2-storey pedimented additions flanking central block; coursed rubble sandstone; long and short quoins; polished dressings to openings. Further 2-storey bay to E, single storey to W.

S (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: tripartite doorpiece flanked by detached Doric columns and engaged corner pilasters; enclosed by timber porch; original timber door. Tripartite window to first floor; flanking openings blinded. Single storey canted window in bay to right of centre, full height canted window in bay to left. Symmetrical pedimented wings; single window to ground; round-arched window above.

E (SIDE) ELEVATION: 2-storey, 3-bay extension; round-arched opening to central bay at first floor; crowstepped gable.

N (REAR) ELEVATION: rubble finish; rough dressings; long and short quoins. 2-storey bow to centre; tripartite window to ground; single opening above. Single windows to both floors in bays to outer left and right.

Variety of timber sash and case windows to both elevations. 3-light canted windows to S; 12-pane windows in central and right bay at 1st floor. 12-pane tripartite to rear at ground; 2-pane opening to right; 12-pane windows to all floors in remaining bays to rear Piended grey slate roof to central block; conical cap to rear bow. Coped wallhead stacks with various square and circular cans.

INTERIOR: 2-leaf timber door flanked either side by Doric columns and corner pilasters set slightly in antis. Room to ground set in rear bow; original tripartite window; fluted margins; panelled shutters, surrounding decorative architrave; foliate frieze; lion head capitals to half-engaged fluted columns to left and right. Decorative cornice with cast panels; original timber dado panelling; marble fireplace to W. Remaining rooms not seen 1996.

Statement of Interest

Originally Bonnington House, the main entry from Ferry Road was via a tree-lined avenue which remains discernible along the W side of Newhaven Road. The 1855 Ordnance Survey map shows a quartered formal garden to W of the house with a sun dial and fountain to the centre. The house is presently used as a children?s centre and various additions, including a wooden porch and sheltered play area have been made. Still, it remains a key building, both historically and architecturally, within its surroundings.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56631713

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair