Blackstone Cottage

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A 1½ storey rubble basalt built six bays long house with gable natural slated roof. There are three stone chimneys with two gabled and slated porches The roofs are supported on low stone walls typical of other tenants dwellings on the Bellarena estate. This was originally two semi-detached cottages but is now one dwelling with both entrances retained. Windows are double light casements of two panes each with accented central mullion. The north gable has a french window opening onto a side garden. To the rear there is a single storey back return together with an ensuite bathroom added to a ground floor bedroom within the original structure. Each gable has two small windows lighting end bedrooms while a velux rooflight provides natural light to the repositioned staircase. The roofs drain to metal half round gutter and circular downpipes.

The building is parallel to Duncrun Road and set about seven or eight metres back with the entire area between the house and road hedge covered with pea gravel. The high clipped hedge, which along the side garden shelters the house from the road provides a delightful tranquil
setting.

Historical information

Built as semi-detached cottages and taken over c 1860 as two police barracks, one for Magilligan and the other for Bellarena. In the 1920s the barracks moved to another converted house nearby. The previous owners carried out the present tasteful adaptations and renovations. The present owners (1997) occupied the house five years ago and added the ground floor bathroom

Reference: Owners (1997).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
H-. Alterations detracting from building

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A charming example of early Victorian estate tenant housing successfully adapted to modern living without losing its essential attributes.