Cresborough

Cadw's description

Location

1km SW of Slebech Church.

History

Originally Cresborough was a tenant-farm on the Picton Castle estate, with, as recorded in c.1780, about 180 acres (73 Hectares). At a date probably early in the C19 the farmhouse was enlarged with a new S-facing wing. It is also reputed to have been the Dower House of Picton.

Exterior

House comprises 2-storeyed L-plan main ranges of c1840 ( entrance wing to east, and south-facing garden front ) in a simplified gothic style, apparently added to an earlier building on the site which is probably represented by the lower service wing parallel to the entrance range. Main elevations are lined out render, with rough rubble exposed in rear elevations; slate roofs with axial and end wall stacks, generally paired polygonal shafts. Entrance front faces E: central doorway in gabled porch with 4-centred archway flanked by mullioned window with paired arched lights to right, and a similar 3-light window at intermediate height ( probably lighting stairs ) to the left. Paired windows with similar detail above the porch, and a similar 5-light window to the right above. Garden front is a 5-window range, symmetrically planned with 3 slightly advanced gables separated by narrower single window bays. The advances gables are stressed by polygonal pilasters with decorative finials, corbelled out to either side of the upper storeys and anchoring the moulded gable copings which terminate in similar finials. Each of these bays has a tall 4-pane sash window to ground floor, and a similar shorter window above: these upper windows have drop-ended hood moulds and are matched by similar windows in the intermediate bays. These bays have floor length sashes forming French windows, also with hood moulds, to ground floor. All windows are recessed in slightly splayed openings. Left hand return elevation has small paned canted bay window with transoms. To the rear, a single storey lean-to, slightly canted in plan, project at the angle of main range and rear wing: it has pointed window with small-paned glazing, and there are 2 similar windows in the main range above. Long 2 storeyed rear wing has various sash windows of 12 and 4-panes.

Interior

Partially inspected only, but retain some original detailing including gothic joinery.

Reason for designation

Listed as a substantial C19 house ( with earlier origins ), retaining its early gothic architectural character.