Perfect example of an untouched building. Original Sash windows now painted in red and cream, and original gate. (1 Pers comm J Kerry 2007)
Listing request denied in August 2010. Late Victorian built between 1879 and 1900. It is larger and more ornate than its neighbours owing to the carriageway on the left of the principal elevation. OS maps of 1900 and 1938 display a glazed structure at the rear which may have provided shelter en route to outdoor privy. This type of utilitarian, brick-built, Victorian terraced housing is prevalent throughout the country and this example matches the plan, construction and elevation treatment that were used for terraces in many towns and cities. This house does not have the architectural interest or quality of design necessary to [nationally] designate a building of this type and period. (1)
Locally Listed by Ashfield District Council (ADC Ref: 640) (1).

This late Victorian house was built during the last two decades of the 19th century: it is not on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1879 but it does appear on the second edition of 1900. Forming part of a terrace of small houses, it is more ornate and larger than its neighbours owing to the carriageway on the left of the principal elevation. The wide gates, along with a number of outbuildings in the rear garden, indicate that the house could have been built for, or by, a small-scale builder or craftsman. It has been suggested that the rear yard was used as an abattoir but it is not clear when or for how long. The only alterations that have been made to the interior of the house are the replacement fireplaces in the two reception rooms, and the kitchen units which were probably constructed in the 1940s or 1950s. Outside there have been only minor changes. The Ordnance Survey maps of 1900 and 1938 indicate that there was a glazed structure attached to the rear of the house, probably to provide shelter en route to the outside privy. Its former position is indicated by a diagonal mark on the return wall of the neighbouring house to the west. The small timber outbuilding with corrugated iron roof attached to the outside wash-house has been added at some point since the 1938 map.
During the 19th century Kirkby-in-Ashfield was transformed by the coal-mining industry from an agricultural-based community to a large town in the colliery district. In 1831 the population of Kirkby was just over two thousand, and by 1900 it was over seven thousand owing to the miners living in the town. The house was built during this period of expansion.
The two-storey house is constructed of red brick laid in Flemish bond with a shallow pitched slate roof. The façade is asymmetrical and has a centrally placed front door with three vertical glazed panels, recessed within a semi-circular arched porch. The carriageway to the left of the front door has timber gates with five metal latticed panels spaced regularly along the top half. The lintel above the gates is supported by brackets. The fenestration consists of pairs of single pane square-headed sashes with timber mullions, sills and wide lintels. There is one pair on the right of the front door, another directly above on the first floor, and one on the first floor above the carriageway and front door. A stone plaque at first floor level has the inscription 'PARK HOUSE'. The roof has cresting and the bracketed eaves are decorated with regularly spaced dropped finials. There are two, red-brick chimney stacks rising from the roof pitch at the front and two at the rear. The rear elevation has a back door with a square-headed fan light. On either side of the door on the ground and first floors are two over two sash windows with another above the gateway.
Internally, the house appears to have been little altered since it was built. The hall with its original coving, dado and coat pegs, gives access to the dog-leg staircase with landing, closed string and under-stairs cupboard. The steps bear evidence of a previous carpet strip. The floor of the kitchen and dining room is laid with quarry tiles, and the latter room has fitted glazed cupboards in the recess on either side of the fireplace, and a fitting for a gas lamp. The window on the landing has coloured panes. The three bedrooms upstairs have contemporary cast-iron fireplaces. There are six-panelled doors on the ground floor and four-panelled doors on the first floor. All the joinery is contemporary to the house and is of good quality.
The front garden has a low red brick wall with two posts on either side of the driveway leading up to the wide gates of the carriageway. In the rear garden there are a number of red brick outbuildings: a privy and wash house with ceramic sink and brick stove near the house, and a series of store houses at the end of the garden.
18 Victoria Road, a late 19th century terraced house in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, is not recommended for designation for the following principal reasons: Architectural: it is an example of a standard, prolific house type which lacks the architectural interest in a national context necessary for designation. (2)

Ashfield District Council, Ashfield Local List (Document). SNT4755.

Historic England, 2021, National Record of Historic Environment (Digital archive). SNT5271.

<1> Ashfield District Council, Ashfield Local List (Document). SNT4755.

<2> M.J. Thompson, 2010, English Heritage Listing File - Park House (Published document). SNT6172.