Large Country House, c.1751-1777 for the 2nd Viscount Galway by James Paine. Remodelled in 1812 by Lindley and Woodhead when the wings were demolished, the central block extended by an addition of 2 bays to either side and the attic raised. Early C20 east entrance wing. Red brick and ashlar. Hipped slate roof, 6 rendered stacks. Ashlar cornice and chamfered projecting ashlar quoins. The south front, of basement plus 2.1/2storeys and 9 bays with single storey flanking wings, has an ashlar pediment topping the slightly projecting central 3 bays and a 1st floor ashlar band. The half sunk, slightly projecting, ashlar basement has 8 glazing bar sashes. The central doorway and portico has a flight of steps, with single orbs at the corners of the 2nd step up, leading to a double half-glazed door with traceried overlight, flanked by single flat ashlar piers, single tall fixed lights with glazing bars and single pilasters. The portico comprises 2 pairs of Tuscan columns supporting an entablature with wrought iron balustrade over. Either side of the doorway are 4 glazing bar sashes each with an ashlar balustraded sill and ashlar jambs and architrave. The single windows flanking the doorway are plain, but are set in relieving rusticated ashlar arches. Above are 9 glazing bar sashes. The central sash, with ashlar surround, is set in a brick relieving arch which rises above the attic window. Flanking the arch are single Ionic pilasters with fluted capitals, there are further similar, single pilasters marking the extent of the projecting bays. All 4 rest on the 1st floor band and support the podium. The top floor has 8 smaller glazing bar sashes, the central sash having an ashlar surround with slightly projecting hood, the sill is supported on small ashlar brackets. To the right is a single storey brick wing with ashlar cornice hiding the roof line. Set on a shallow plinth with 3 glazing bar sashes in relieving arches this wing contains the chapel. To its right is a heightened, ashlar coped, brick wall with a horizontal fixed light, this slopes down to the garden wall. The left single storey coursed rubble wing, with ashlar cornice hiding the roof line, is set on a shallow plinth with 3 glazing bar sashes. The west front has minor single and 2 storey extensions. The north front of 2.1/2 storeys and 9 bays with ashlar cornice and chamfered projecting ashlar quoins has an ashlar pediment topping the slightly projecting central 3 bays. Similar quoins flank these bays. The 3 bays on either side each have a 1st floor ashlar band. The basement corresponds to the south front, but with 5 sashes only. The central ground floor arched and recessed glazing bar sash window is to Paine's design. The ashlar arch over the window is supported on a single pair of Ionic columns, flanked by further single attached Ionic half pilasters, with shaped bases. Either side are 4 glazing bar sashes with ashlar jambs and architrave. All ground f1oor windows have an ashlar balustraded sill. Above are 9 glazing bar sashes, the central window, under a flat head has ashlar jambs and architrave. On the top floor are 9 smaller glazing bar sashes. Projecting from the left is the early C20 single storey red brick entrance wing with ashlar cornice and chamfered projecting ashlar quoins. To its north front is a Venetian window with balustraded sill, to the east front is the portico. Interior. Staircase hall with cantilevered staircase of 1812 with wrought iron balustrade. The landing has Paine's screen of columns with decorated capitals. The dining room, on the north side has a plasterwork ceiling with paintings attributed to Zucchi, an inlaid and carved marble fireplace and a doorcase with fluted Ionic half columns. The C18 style wall decoration is early C20. Also to Paine's designs are the coffered ceiling and marbled fireplace in the small drawing room. The drawing room has a screen of fluted Corinthian columns, a fireplace with Bacchic carving removed from a house in Hanover Square and a decorated plaster ceiling. The library has early C19 bookcases. The chapel remodelled in the early C20, contains oak panelling from Hodroyd Hall. Country Life March 26th - April 9th, 1959. (NCC/js)