Description

Late 19th century with later additions and alterations. Asymmetrical, 2-storey with attic, 4-bay Italianate style villa with single storey, 4 bay addition to N; 2-storey addition to E; 4-stage square-plan belvedere tower behind columnar entrance to S. Coursed cream sandstone; polished sandstone dressings; channelled entrance; tower channelled at upper stages. Bull-faced sandstone plinth; polished string course; overhanging timber bracketed, corniced eaves. Architraved surrounds to openings; sandstone mullions; predominantly chamfered cills (some corbelled at 1st floor). Decorative iron verandahs at ground and 1st floors; conservatory adjoined to E.

W (SOUTH BEACH) ELEVATION: main block comprising 5-light canted windows at both floors in projecting bay to outer left; decorative cast-iron balcony to segmental-arched bipartite dormer above. Single openings at both floors in recessed, central bays (glazed porch in re-entrant angle to left); advanced cast-iron verandahs at both floors with fluted columns at ground, narrow, barley-sugar columns at 1st floor, low, decorative balustrades, foliate spandrels. 5-light canted window at ground in bay to outer right; bipartite opening at 1st floor; 2 segmental-arched tripartite dormers regularly disposed above. Single storey addition to outer left comprising bipartite window in bay to outer left; tripartite window in bay to outer right; segmental-arched window and louvred bipartite opening flanking centre. Single storey entrance recessed to outer right.

S (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: steps to 2-leaf timber panelled door set in projecting entrance off-set to left of centre; flanking columns; carved detail beneath segmental-arched pediment; segmental-arched sandstone surround to part-glazed vestibule door within. Square headed 3-light glazing row to 3rd stage of tower behind; columnar mullions to round-arched, 3-light glazing row to upper stage. Single window at ground in recessed bay to outer left; single windows in both bays at 1st floor. Single and tripartite windows at ground in swept, concave bay to right of entrance; single windows at 1st floor. 4-light canted windows at both floors in advanced bay to outer right.

E (REAR) ELEVATION: tripartite windows at both floors in advanced, piended bay off-set to left of centre; polygonal conservatory adjoining bay recessed to outer left; modern stair to right. 3-bay central block comprising glazed porch centred at ground; single window aligned at 1st floor; bipartite windows at both floors in bay to left; 3-light canted windows at both floors in bay to right; regularly disposed segmental arched dormers above. Single windows in single storey addition to outer right.

Predominantly 2-pane timber sash and case glazing; decorative leaded glazing to vestibule door and stair light. Graded grey slate roof; replacement rainwater goods. Corniced sandstone ridge and wallhead stacks; various circular cans.

INTERIOR: adapted for residential/conference use. Mosaic floor to vestibule; decorative glazing to small-paned timber door; fanlight set in segmental-arched frame. Timber panelled doors (some modern fire doors); timber dado panelling to hall; timber balustraded stair with corniced newels; decorative stair light. Some detailed cornices; decorative plasterwork; majority original fireplaces removed; lift shaft inserted.

BOUNDARY WALL, PIERS AND GATES: polished coping to bull-faced rubble wall enclosing site to W. Square-plan piers to S; coursed sandstone, square-plan piers flanking vehicular and pedestrian entrances to N; pyramidal caps; decorative gates.

Statement of Interest

An imposing Italianate villa which has retained some good detailing. Of particular note is the belvedere tower with its channelling, round-arched openings and bracketed eaves. Also of interest are the decorative verandahs, the impressive columnar entrance and the timber sashes. The original occupant is said to have been a Mr Thomas Hood, wine merchant. Now owned by the Church of Scotland and used for a variety of public functions.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17844607

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 green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)