Description
Jonathan Anderson Bell, 1855-57. 2-and 3-storey castellated Gothic mansion; 4-storey bell tower; L-plan staff extension to rear, James Tait circa 1900; linking glass corridor to modern single storey ward block. Sandstone ashlar. Base course, stringcourses; parapets, hoodmoulds.
W (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: projecting 3-storey entrance tower with crenellated parapet; 2 steps to gothic doorway, modern coach light to flanks, parapeted wall to either flank; oriel window above, replacement carved corbel, cusped traceried window surrounds, 4 lights, crenellated parapet; single light traceried window to 2nd floor; to right double height chapel, stained glass window, stone mullions and cusped surrounds, four tall lights, multifoil light to centre; 2-storey 2-bay to right, adjacent projecting castellated bay to ground floor, double light traceried window above; castellated chimneystacks to each section.
S ELEVATION: symmetrical 2-storey 3-bay, string courses; hood moulded windows, except projecting castellated bay to ground floor right; parapeted; chimney stack to right; single storey modern in-fill hiding earlier 2-storey elevation behind; bipartite window to ground floor right; oriental carved stone inset to right.
E ELEVATION: 2-storey 6-bay later wing with enclosed courtyard; modern glass corridor adjoining to ground floor; 2-storey single bay to right, bipartite windows, hoodmoulds.
N ELEVATION: early 1990's single storey ward extension; to right linking glass corridor to original house; 2-storey 3-bay section, projecting central bay, 4 lights, bipartite windows flanking; tower in re-entrant angle (see below); to right 3-storey 2-bay, parapeted.
TOWER: 3-storey single bay with setback 4th stage; castellated; hood moulded arched doorway, single light traceried window to each return and back; inscribed bell to left (see NOTES).
12-pane narrow timber sash and case windows (painted green to majority, bronze sashes in principal rooms), Piended slate roof with parapet, lead flashings, replacement metal ridge tiles; cast-iron guttering.
INTERIOR: some original doors; bracketed ceilings, vine cornicing; heavy carved newel posts, carved traceried timber balusters to main stairwell; arcaded timber carved gallery in chapel; bracketed ceiling on corbelled shafts, ornate bosses, Puginesque Minton floor tiles; dogleg servants' staircase with plain wooden hand rail, shaped iron balusters; murals by Julius Muller portray "The Life of Joseph and his Brethren" in former nursery; former chapel window, stained glass by Bell (see NOTES).