Argyle House, Gentle Street, Frome

Minerva undertook gentle cleaning, mortar trials, matching of the original construction phase lime mortar and repointing with a mortar mix ashes to this important local house. listing description outlined below.

First rated 1770 (probably built 1768-69). Built by the Thynne family. Later lived in by the Dowager Duchess of Argyle (Mistress of the Robes to the Queen died 1855). Coursed rubble, freestone features, chamfered plinth, rusticated quoins, cornice and parapet. 2 storeys, attic and basement. 2 windows with architrave heads, glazing bar sashes, outer windows Venetian. Keyed centre light. Single round headed light in centre of 1st floor. Central panelled door, cross lower panels, cusp-headed centre panels, architrave surround, pediment on brackets, approached by 3 stops. Mansard pantile roof with one dormer. Return to north has glazing bar sash attic window with flat moulded surround. Interior: ceiling cornices possibly original. Original Chinese Chippendale staircase (an excellent example of local joinery). The same pattern is used for lesser stair to attic.