Summary
A nursing home, built as two semi-detached villas in c.1840.
Reasons for Designation
27 and 28 Oldfield Road is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Architectural Interest: a good example of mid-C19 former Italianate villas with elaborate architectural detailing
* Group Value: the building is one of a series of similar villas on Oldfield Road which demonstrate well the fashion for such developments within the suburbs of the City of Bath
History
This was an especially grand pair of houses known as The Ferns and Crowsmoor, built in limestone ashlar of great refinement, which, despite the loss of its original roof covering and windows, is still of considerable interest as a speculative development of the period. It is the best of five substantial Victorian villas in this road, (qv Nos. 29, 31 & 32), of differing sizes and design with spacious gardens, partly developed in this case.
Details
PLAN: low pitched roofs, two main gables to street, and long transverse gabled wing across rear, principal elevation to west.
MATERIALS: fine ashlar, concrete tile roofs.
EXTERIOR: an elaborate Italianate design, comprising three storeys and basement, originally with sash windows in raised plat surrounds, all replaced with plastic lights. Two front gables are at different heights, and right section set back, paired arched windows above form of Palladian window set to pierced stone balcony on brackets, above tall tripartite lights with delicate iron balustrades, and basement lights. Set back, left, turret, with pair of arched lights with keystones above triple light with central arched head, and at ground floor, on flight of nosed steps contained by solid balustrades to terminal cylindrical piers, pair of vertical panelled doors with very narrow sidelights. To left flat roofed three-storey section, and lift-shaft rising above other roof levels. To right single-storey square porch with four-panel door and transom light in moulded and eared architrave with triple keystone, under cornice and blocking course, behind, centred to door two-stage stack on corbels, and cornice at first-floor level, return of block has various sashes. All elements have bold square alternating quoins, with plain raised pilasters to top floor, and platbands. Deep eaves and gables are on brackets, and stack with heavy bracketed capping to left of left gable return. West front, facing Oldfield Lane, has, at rear, full-height gabled range in similar detailing to main front, with paired arched windows to top floor and pierced stone balustrade crowning bay with big plain lights, and with tenthood verandah on decorative cast-iron standards with rich balustrade, returns full length of long return wall, also single and paired sashes.
INTERIOR: not inspected.
