Ashton House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Attractive two storey gabled farm house situated on the N side of the Green Road, Six Road Ends.

Front E facade is symmetrical. In the centre is a panelled timber door encased with plain pilasters, console brackets, cornice and blocking course. To the left of the doorway is a double sash window (with heavy mullion and horizontal astragals). The window has a simple surround, plain frieze, cornice and blocking course. To the right of the doorway is an identical window. To the first floor are three smaller (single) sash windows with simple surrounds. These windows rest on a cill course.

To the S gable is a small single storey gabled section with a modern window to its E facade. To the first floor are two sash windows. Attached to the N gable is a single storey rubble built outbuilding. To the right on the first floor is a window with a modern frame, this window appears to have been inserted fairly recently.

Attached to the left on the rear facade is a large full height, flat roofed extension with modern doors and windows. To the right of this, on the rear facade of the main house, is a window with modern frame. To the rear of the single storey section to the S is a large modern window and a partly glazed door. The gable of this section is blank.

The facade is finished in lined render and painted a terracotta red. The roof is covered in Bangor blue slates and has an overhang at the eaves. Decorative barge boards. Two rendered chimney stacks to the gables. Mixture of cast iron rw goods.

Historical information

A house is shown on this site on the OS maps of 1834 and 1858-60, however, it is possible that the roof may have been raised at some point [?c.1860]. The extension to the rear was added c.1970.
The valuation records of c.1836 state that the house on this site was then in the possession of a Robert Curragh and that it (and the accompanying land) had a rateable value of £3-10-11.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS Maps 1st ed. 1834, Co. Down 2.
2 PRONI VAL 1B/31 1st valuation Bangor parish, Gransha Td., c.1835.
3 PRONI OS Maps 1st rev. 1858-60, Co. Down 2.
4 PRONI 2nd (‘Griffith’s’) valuation, Bangor Parish, Gransha Td.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Two storey farmhouse of probable early nineteenth century origin, possibly substantially renovated, with the roof raised, c.1860s. The formal front facade of this house is still attractive, however a large and inappropriate flat roofed extension has been added to the rear in fairly recent times.