History

Early 19th century villa believed to have been built for the Topham family of Liverpool who founded Aintree racecourse although there is some sugestion it may originally have been an official residence of the Town Clerk of Chester. An estate map of 1830 includes a lithograph of the building by the architect T M Penson of Chester. Subsequently acquired by the Collinge family who, under James Collinge, undertook some minor remodelling in the late 19th century on this and other estate properties.

Exterior

Regency villa of two storeys, rendered brick on stone base with later additions to rear service wings to form a domestic courtyard. Grey slate roof with wide projecting eaves containing thin dentilations. Principal facade of three bays including semi-circular projecting middle bay with shallow stone steps at ground floor leading up to semi-circular glazed doors set in larger glazed opening. Above is a large central window with stone cill to the first floor. Bays to the left and right have twelve pane sash windows, replaced to ground floor right. Side elevation to the left return is of two bays with twelve pane sash windows to the first floor and one large twenty five pane sash window to ground floor with margin panes similar to the principle facade. To the left a doorcase of shallow fluted pilasters and consoles with rectangular fanlight between. Late Victorian four panel half-glazed door. Glazed canopy to the ground floor supported by three pairs of cast iron columns of classical design attached at their bases by quatrefoil panels and above their capitals by decorative open iron work. Side elevation to the right return is of two storeys with two twelve pane sash windows to each floor and late 19th century two storey addition with twelve pane sash windows. Barge boards with trefoiled openings to top and bottom. Further to the rear is a later single storey extension with Ruabon dressings. Rear elevation of three storeys is contained within a small domestic courtyard enclosed in the late 19th century. Sash windows of sixteen panes to the ground floor, twelve panes to the first floor, and eight to the second floor. Centrally placed doorcase of shallow fluted pilasters with consoles above and rectangular fanlight.

Interior

The original internal layout remains largely including a cantilevered stone staircase and, to rear, a small staircase to the servants quarters with decorative cast iron rails. To the Dining Room a black marble surround with arched opening keystone and shelf. To the Drawing Room a fire surround of similar design in white marble. To the first floor sitting room a white marble fire surround with straight headed opening and carved classical floral motif.

Reasons for Listing

Listed as a good example of a Regency villa in its original setting and retaining much of its original character.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29496515

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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