Largely Georgian with one early Elizabethan wing. "Swiss" style with overhanging eaves and verandah

H.C. Vieth, RCAHMW, 2 February 2005

[Additional:] A Regency-style villa built c. 1826, the date of plans seen in the 1970s but not now available. Fronfelen Hall was the centre of an estate of some 800 acres, and included several slate quarries. The house is built from well-dressed, coursed slate blocks, presumably derived from the estate quarries. The house is carefully sited with the entrance front to the N, garden fronts with verandahs on the S and W sides, and the service end to the N (apparently rebuilt). The garden fronts are seen to good effect in the newspaper sale particulars of c. 1970 in the NMRW.

The house was adapted as a nursing home in the 1970s and this entailed the eventual replacement of the verandahs with modern conservatories and the loss of the fireplaces. Nevertheless much original detail has survived, including the deep eaves, sash windows, and some ceiling mouldings with key motif. The interesting original plan has been retained. The main doorway opens onto a long and broad lateral passages with principal and service stairs at either end. The principal stair has a tightly swept hand-rail over square-section balusters. The service stair has been replaced by a lift. The W.-facing rooms are accessed from this broad stair passage. They include a kitchen/house-keeper's room near the entrance with a utilitarian beamed ceiling and fireplace with high timber bressummer. The unchamfered timber detail is certainly C19th, and presumably contemporary with the house, but it seems latterly to have been regarded as the 'Elizabethan wing'.

The environs of the house are of interest. To the N. of the house are an orchard and walled garden with evidence for glasshouses. Some C19th planting survives in the garden, including two large tulip trees. The stable/coach-house range NE of the house has been converted to domestic accommodation. The entrance to the drive is through a pair of squat pillars. The house never seems to have had a lodge, and became the residence of the quarry manager from an early date.

Information from Clive and Christina Miller, the present owners. Richard Suggett/RCAHMW/November 2007.