March House

Cadw's description

Location

South side of the B.4392, half a mile east of Guilsfield.

History

Formerly the Navigation Inn, said to have been built c1796 following the completion of the Guilsfield Arm of the Montgomery Canal, the road turnpiked in 1769. Shown on the 1836 One-Inch Tithe Map and 1845 Tithe Map, though on a slightly different footprint. The north elevation shows two phases of brickwork which may reflect slight rebuilding. Later known as Varchoel Villa. Subdivided into two cottages in late 1940s by a Mr Boon of Shrewsbury for use as tied cottages for his workers at Boon’s Animal Byproducts, who based at a nearby limekiln. Returned to a single dwelling c.2000.

Exterior

Two storeys, attics and cellars in locally-made red brick in Flemish bond. Three bay façade with central six-panelled door in panelled doorcase, with flat canopy on console brackets. Inserted casement window at the centre. 24-paned sashes with stone sills and slightly cambered 22cm rubbed brick heads. The N&S elevations are two bay and have 16-paned sashes to each floor of each bay, all panes being square in proportion. North doorway blocked. Dentilled brick eaves. Hipped roof of renewed slate. Modern bricks stacks, and 2x rooflights in north elevations.

At east end is lean-to former stables and hayloft, interconnected. Said to have had unglazed wooden-barred window and cobbled floor into 1950s. Cart door in north elevation bricked up, wooden boarded door above. Former washroom at rear in brick.

Interior

Modernised in c.1950, cellar access blocked and all fireplaces removed. 2 x 2 room plan. A boxed-in central pine staircase is said to the survive, with built-in cloak cupboards. Second C19 staircase in dining room.

Reason for designation

Historic interest as a late C18 former public house associated with improvements to road and canal infrastructure. Later converted to a dwelling, it has additional architectural interest as a largely unaltered example of an early C19 cottage. Group value with milestone.