History

Probably an early C18 stone cottage to which a new brick wing was added late C18 to form a substantial double-pile house. Two subsequent phases of alterations appear to be C19. Firstly, the roof was raised to accommodate an attic storey and iron-frame windows were inserted into earlier, smaller openings; secondly, sash windows were inserted at a later phase. The latter phase is probably connected with John Naylor's ownership of the Leighton Estate, which he acquired 1846-47. Naylor, a Liverpool banker, embarked on an ambitious programme of building, notably Leighton Hall, church and Leighton Farm, all designed by Gee and largely completed by the mid 1850s. In addition, he also improved many of the earlier dwellings on the Estate. Until his death in 1889 Naylor continued improving the buildings on his estate. His grandson, Captain J.M. Naylor, sold the Estate in 1931.

Exterior

Two-storey house facing E with attic and basement consisting of a late C18 main range with parallel rear range of early C18 and lower single-storey wings to N and S. The main elevations are of brick, although the wings are mainly of random rubble. Slate roofs with crested ridge tiles and fretted barge boards to main and rear ranges (and with pendant finials to front range) added in C19 in typical estate style. The main range has a central 2-stage ridge stack. It is double-fronted with lobby-entry plan, and with plat band and slightly advanced plinth. In the upper storey are 3 windows in wood frames with transoms, incorporating iron-framed, small pane casements. In the lower storey is a similar window to L in an opening enlarged from an earlier segmental-headed opening. A similar but large 8-light window to R added at the same time, possibly to light a workshop or office. The doorway is centrally-placed and has a boarded door under a segmental head. In the gable ends are 2-light small-pane casements in attic, below which is a casement window in S gable end (enlarged from an earlier segmental headed opening) and a blocked window under a segmental head in the N gable end into which a small casement is inserted. The parallel rear range has an end brick stack with corbelled cap at S end. In the S gable end it has a small blocked window below the verge and in the lower storey is a bay window inserted C19 on a stone plinth with a small basement opening beneath it. The N gable end is random rubble and has a blocked door in basement to R and casement windows in the lower and upper storeys. The rear elevation is a 3-window range with sash windows in brick surrounds. In the basement is a boarded door to R, a blocked window to L and a small fixed light in the centre, all under segmental stone heads. The N wing has an original full-height opening to front now with modern door and window inserted, and was possibly a small cart shed (it also has a rubble stone outshut added to its rear and a modern garage further N). The S wing is advanced forward and in the angle with the main range is a sash window in a wooden architrave inserted C19 into an earlier doorway. In the rear elevation are a sash window and blocked door. Slate roof with added brick stack to L.

Interior

Not inspected (January 1997).

Reasons for Listing

An C18 house retaining much of its early character, also of interest for its remodelling in the C19 when part of John Naylor’s Leighton Estate, an exceptional example of high-Victorian estate development and the most complete example of its type in Wales. Park House is an important element of this whole ensemble at Leighton.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29496896

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

• 
  For the Record
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)