'Wyncroft',

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Substantial but relatively plain two storey suburban residence of c.1890s, with single storey bays to front, rendered façade, large modern extension to rear and PVC window frames throughout. The property is situated to the W of Warren Road, roughly half a mile N of Donaghadee town centre.

The symmetrical front façade faces roughly E. To the centre is the main entrance with consists of a panelled timber door with plain fanlight. The doorway has a simple moulded surround. To either side of the entrance is a large canted bay, with (probably flat) roof hidden behind a parapet. To each face of the bay is a PVC window (all windows have similar frames). The windows rest on a sill course and below the sill course is a bevelled base. Above window level is a cornice course and above this the parapet. Between the base of each bay stretches a flight of steps which lead to the entrance.

To the first floor are five windows with simple moulded surrounds, the two outer windows to each side are paired. The S gable has a window roughly to the centre on both floors. The N gable has a window to right on both floors. This gable merges with the N face of a two storey rear return.

To the left of the rear elevation is a, relatively shallow, two storey gabled return. A large modern single storey, hipped roof, extension has recently been added to this return, totally obscuring the ground floor level. To the right on the still exposed first floor there is a small window. To the immediate right of the return there is shallow two storey bay with short lean-to roof which merges with main roof. To each floor of this bay there is a large window whose PVC frame incorporates the original stained and patterned glazing. To the right of this bay is a relatively recent looking flat roofed conservatory bay (with modern glazing). Above this (to rear façade of main building) is a small window.

The façade is finished in lined render with moulded in-out quoins to front and front bays. Bevelled base and eaves course (to front). The gabled roof is slated and has two Velux windows to front and one to the rear. Decorative red clay ridge tiles. The roof has a slight overhang with end brackets to eaves to front. Photographic evidence suggests the roof may have been replaced recently for (until 1973 at least) it had parapets. Two tall rendered chimney stacks (to main gables). Metal rw goods.

Historical information

This house is shown on the 1901 town plan of Donaghadee and probably dates from the 1890s. The present owner states that he believes that the property was built by ‘someone with a connection with the firm of Colman’s mustard’, but writers have not been able to confirm this.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/8/8/2//1-3 OS town plan of Donaghadee, 1901
2 PRONI VAL/12E/121/2/1-3 Valuation town plan of Donaghadee, 1908-35
3 PRONI VAL/3G/69/2/1-3 Valuation town plan of Donaghadee, 1932-56
4 PRONI VAL/3G/69/1/1-3 Valuation town plan of Donaghadee, 1934-43

Secondary sources
1 Hugh Dixon, Ken Kenmuir and Jill Kennett, ‘Historic buildings…Donaghadee and Portpatrick (Belfast, 1977), p.25

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Substantial, relatively plain two storey suburban residence of c.1890s, with single storey bays to front, rendered façade, large modern extension to rear and PVC window frames throughout.