Bell-Tree House

Cadw's description

Location

Situated on the W side of The Norton some 40m S of the junction with Gas Lane.

History

Early C19 detached house with grounds, marked on 1849 map as Norton Villa. May incorporate much earlier fabric and shown on Norton views. In 1977 known as Norton Guest House, renamed Bell-Tree House c2000.

Exterior

House, white painted stucco with close-eaved slate roofs, hipped to S garden front. Three storeys, irregular facades to street and to S. Long E front to road has red brick right end stack and 4-window range set well to right, the windows close-spaced. Square 9-pane sashes to top floor, 12-pane elsewhere, the windows in the second bay, over the doorway appear to be C20 insertions. Ground floor has C20 windows in 2 right bays, replacing 12-pane sashes, then arched doorway with 6-panel door with both overlight and fanlight, the door recessed, the fanlight flush with wallface. Stucco C19 surround of low-relief tapering pilasters, consoles and heavy cornice (similar to doorcase on No 32). There was a window in place of the door in 1977.
S front has a long square-headed staircase window to left of centre, small 12-pane sash to ground floor left. To right a 2-storey bay with a small-paned arched-headed window over, the head breaking eaves under gable. The bay has ground floor curved top as if originally for a curved bay, but to a 3-sided bay with C20 French windows. Above is c1900 timber enclosed balcony with patterned slates hung below 3 depressed-arched fixed windows, the centre light wider. Hipped slate roof.
Rear W elevation of 3 gabled bays.

Interior

Said in 1977 to have had contemporary staircase and panelled doors, but extensively altered in later C20.

Reason for designation

Included as a substantial late Georgian detached house.