Willowtree Cottage

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A one-and-a-half-storey stuccoed Arts-and-crafts gate lodge built c.1900, to designs by architect Henry Hobart; located at the junction of Conway lane and River Road, Lambeg (a former entrance to Conway house, now demolished). The original gatelodge is rectangular-on-plan aligned north-south; single-storey return at east and decorative timber entrance porch at internal angle. Single-storey extension at south added by former owner, converted to two-storey by current owner c.1990.

Roof is pitched red terracotta scalloped roof tiles with crested terracotta ridge tiles and finials; catslide roof over entrance porch; roof light to east; deep overhanging timber eaves and painted ogee cast-iron rainwater goods over exposed moulded rafter-ends; moulded timber bargeboards supported on paired timber brackets; single tall brick corbelled chimneystack with clay pots. Walls are double-flemish bonded over stepped chamfered plinth; jetty bressumer at first floor having decorative nogging, herringbone bracing and quatrefoil timbers below windows. Windows are square-headed timber framed lattice leaded casements contained within timber moulded frames chamfered painted masonry sill and painted masonry head.

Principal elevation faces north; at right, projecting gabled bay contains central canted bay window at ground floor flanked by original wall mounted lanterns; surmounted by jettied first floor supported by moulded cornice above bay window and timber brackets. First floor comprises single window contained within decorative half timbering. Left single-storey bay contains single window, decorative timber lean-to entrance porch abuts re-entrant angle. Entrance porch comprises chamfered timber framing with herringboard timber to bottom panels and glazing to sidelights and transom lights. Timber panelled door at north with 3/3/3 glazed panels (most are original) and original brass ironmongery, accessed by single stone step.

East elevation; at left, projecting gabled bay contains central canted bay window. At right, re-entrant angle abutted by decorative timber entrance porch.

South (rear) elevation has gable at left, ground floor is abutted by single-storey brick extension with flat roof built c 1965, comprising from left, timber glazed door with side light surmounted by rosemary tile canopy supported on painted timber brackets, modern double sliding door, single-storey projecting bay at right. Left side is further extended to first floor in-line with one-and-a-half-storey gable, comprising timber framed glazed conservatory with red terracotta scalloped roof tiles and four roof lights.

West elevation contains single window off-centre at left; gabled dormer at centre at first floor.

Located to the west side of River Road, Lambeg with enclosed yard to west and garden to south; Conway lane at north accessed via decorative cast-iron gates supported on decorative cast-iron piers. East boundary enclosed by plinth wall surmounted by decorative cast-iron railings and hedging; brick pillar at south surmounted by pyramidal pier.

Roof: Rosemary clay tiles
Walling: Double-flemish bonded red brick at ground floor; stucco and decorative nogging at first floor
Windows: Square-headed timber framed casements
RWG: Cast-iron ogee profiled gutters and round downpipes

Historical information

The current house, now known as ‘Willowtree Cottage’, is the former gate lodge to Conway House (demolished), a mansion built by Edward Charley of the well-known linen manufacturing family. In 1852, linen merchant and banker William Charley of Seymour Hill offered his younger brother Edward some land from his own Seymour Hill estate to build a house. The house was named Conway after the Marquess of Hertford, who also held the title Lord Conway.

Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) lists the house as the home of Edward Charley. It is leased from the Marquis of Hertford and valued at £105 for the house and outbuildings.

Edward Charley died in 1868 leaving the house to his widow Catherine. After her death, in 1892 Conway was sold to John D Barbour of Barbour’s Linen Threads, who lived there until his death in 1901. The house then passed to John D Barbour’s son, Sir John Milne Barbour who may have been responsible for the new gatehouse. Sir Milne Barbour died in 1951 and the house then became a hotel but was eventually demolished. (Rankin, p.52-5)

Dean dates the lodge to c1900 and attributes it to Henry Hobart, ‘the most opulent of the architect’s known executed works…A more ornate variant of that at Lurgan Park, Co Armagh by Henry Hobart, for John D Barbour.’ The cast iron gates are contemporary with the lodge. Original drawings survive, but are neither signed nor dated. (Dean, p.9)

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/1/64/3 – Third Edition OS Map 1901
2. PRONI OS/6/1/64/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1920-1
3. PRONI OS/6/1/64/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1920-31
4. PRONI OS/6/1/64/6 – Sixth Edition OS Map 1920-39
5. Griffith’s Valuation online (1856-64)

Secondary Sources

1. Dean, J. A. K. “The Gate Lodges of Ulster: A Gazetteer.” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1994.
2. Rankin, K “The Linen Houses of the Lagan Valley, The story of their families” Belfast, Ulster Historical Foundation, 2002

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

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

Evaluation

A one-and-a-half-storey stuccoed Arts-and-crafts gate lodge built c.1900, to designs of prominent local architect Henry Hobart; located at the junction of Conway lane and River Road, Lambeg (a former entrance to Conway house, now demolished). The building despite being extended at south, retains most original external features including original timber framed entrance porch; red terracotta scalloped roof tiles with crested terracotta ridge tiles and finials; canted bays and leaded lattice lights; jetty bressumer at first floor with decorative nogging, herringbone bracing and quatrefoil timbers. The building is a good example of Arts-and-crafts architecture and is of added interest due to its connections with the the Charley and Barbour families. Willowtree Cottage enjoys a good setting and is a dwelling of considerable architectural and historical significance.

General comments

This record was completed without access to primary source material held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.