Bellevue

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A three-bay two-storey-with-attic detached rendered country house, built c.1840 and located to the north side of Greenhill Road in Aghadowey, south of Coleraine. Rectangular plan with central two-storey gabled breakfront to east and two-storey return to rear.

Pitched natural slate roof with blue/black angled ridge tiles, masonry verges and four rendered chimneystacks with moulded caps. Cast-iron half-round rainwater goods on brackets and cavetto-moulded eaves. Walling is ruled-and-lined painted render on a chamfered plinth with raised quoins; roughcast render to north gable. Windows are original 6/6 timber sash with horns, in stop-end chamfered reveals and painted projecting sills (unless otherwise stated).

The principal elevation faces east with breakfront to centre breaking eaves line. Breakfront is flanked to either side by two windows at each floor (those to first floor right are replacement timber casements) and contains a round-headed 6/6 window with plain top light at first floor over an elliptical-headed doorcase. Doorcase comprises two Doric columns supporting a shallow entablature, flanked by fluted pilasters and surmounted by moulded archivolt; accessed via three stone steps. Doorcase contains a recessed raised-and-fielded ten-panel timber door (timber boarding covers lower panels) surmounted by curvilinear timber fanlight.

The south gable has a replacement window to centre at attic.

The west (rear) elevation was only partially viewed. Abutted at left by the gabled two-storey return, having 2/2 window to first floor right and two 2/2 windows to first floor of south elevation. Right bay has two windows at first floor. Ground floor concealed.

The north gable has a 6/6 window to centre at attic and uPVC window to first floor right.

Setting:

Situated on a mature site to the north side of Greenhill Road in unspoiled rural surroundings with views over the surrounding countryside to east. Accessed from south via a long tree-lined avenue; square painted brick piers to entrance lead to rear yard, accessed via high modern metal gates. To north side of yard is a single-storey annexe with natural slate roof and rendered chimneystack to gable; modern openings to north elevation. Single-storey flat-roof painted brick abutment, with 3/2 sash window and topped by metal water tank, also to north.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Ruled-and-lined painted render
Windows: Generally timber sash with horns
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

‘Bellevue’ dates from c1840 and is first shown, captioned, on the second edition OS map of 1849-53, situated near the Aghadowey River and overlooking a bleach green dotted with ‘Watch Ho[uses]’. Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) lists the occupier as William Jefferson and the house is let from James Smith who runs the nearby beetling mill and bleach greens. The valuation of the present house and outbuildings is £13. The house is shown in its present form, with a projecting central bay. By the third edition of 1904-5 the house had been extended to the rear.

In 1866 the house passed to a doctor, Alexander Lane MD who extended the house to the rear in order to use part of the premises as a dispensary. The valuation was consequently raised to £17 in 1867. Hugh S Morrison MD took over the house in 1888 and it remained in the Morrison family until at least 1954. In 1901 Hugh S Morrison, 43, was living in the house with his wife and two sons, the family retaining a domestic servant. The ten room house was designated first class. In the 1911 census we learn that only two of Morrison’s four children had survived, but one of his sons was a university undergraduate by this time and later followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a doctor. (Will of Hugh Morrison)

The First General Revaluation of the 1930s lists the accommodation at the house which comprised, on the ground floor: three receptions, a kitchen, pantry, surgery and scullery and on the upper floors, four bedrooms, a bathroom and WC and two attic bedrooms. A plan and dimensions are given.

The building was listed in 1977 and in 1990 renovations and repairs were completed during the course of which some inappropriate windows were installed as well as PVC rainwater goods. (HB file)

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/5/18/1 First Edition OS Map 1832
2. PRONI OS/6/5/18/2 Second Edition OS map 1849-53
3. PRONI OS/6/5/18/3 Third Edition OS Map 1904-5
4. PRONI OS/6/5/18/4 Fourth Edition OS Map 1924-33
5. PRONI VAL/12/B/30/1A-F Annual Revisions (1864-1929)
6. PRONI VAL/3/C/6/1 First General Revaluation 1933-57
7. PRONI VAL/3/D/6/3/A/1 First General Revaluation 1933-57
8. PRONI Will of Hugh Morrison died 21st May 1929
9. Griffith’s Valuation online
10. 1901/1911 census
11. HB file – 03/04/006

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
R. Age
S. Authenticity
T. Historic Importance

Evaluation

Belleview is three-bay two-storey-with-attic detached rendered country house, built c.1840 and located to the north side of Greenhill Road in Aghadowey, south of Coleraine. Well-proportioned and in a style typical of the period, architectural detailing is well-preserved and much of the original character is intact. Situated in picturesque surroundings with views over the surrounding countryside, the house makes an important contribution to the architectural quality and character of the rural landscape in the Aghadowey area.

General comments

Listing Criteria R - Age; S - Authenticity and T - Historic Importance also apply.