Building record MDR9829 - Leahurst House, Lea Hurst, Holloway

Small country house, dated 1825, when the building was considerably enlarged and refashioned, but 17th century in origin. Ashlar-built with stone mullioned windows. It has a broad gabled portion to the left, two storeys and an attic, and two mullioned windows. There is a date panel of 1825 with the initial 'N'. This was the home of the Nightingale family and remained so until 1946. Three contemporary lodges exist on the perimeter of the estate. (1). Lea Hurst House is a Grade II small country house, dated 1825, when the building was considerably enlarged and refashioned, but 17th century in origin. It is constructed from coursed squared rubble gritstone with ashlar dressings, coped gables with moulded kneelers and ball finials, intermediate and end ashlar ridge stacks, the one to the north-east of the entrance porch with clustered octagonal pots. It is asymmetrical plan in imitation of the local 17th century vernacular interdispersed with free Gothic detailing. The principal range of two storeys with attics is dominated by gabled projecting crosswings with gabled dormers. The north-west elevation has a long two storey projection to the north-east end that is possibly the 17th century part. The house was the home of Florence Nightingale and her family. (2) The former outbuildings, now dwellings, at Lea Hurst house are Grade II early 19th century buildings. They are constructed from coursed rubble gritstone with ashlar dressings, coped gables, two ashlar intermediate ridge stacks, and a concrete tiled roof. They are an L-shaped plan range with a two storey, five bay principal range, and a two bay range to the north-west end enclosing a former courtyard. There have been substantial 20th century alterations to convert the outbuildings to dwellings. (3) Lea Hurst is a 17th century gabled house with irregular straight coped gables, low mullioned windows with modest hood moulds. A projecting porch, the full height of the house, two storeys and attics, has a centred arch. The house was enlarged in 1825, and the staircase inside is of similar date. (4)