Front Street, Cleadon House

House. Supposedly 1738 (rainwater heads) for John Dagnia of South Shields, glass
manufacturer. Brick with stone dressings; roof of plain tiles. Simple block
plan. 2 storeys, 5 windows, including a central Venetian staircase window, all
with broad moulded glazing bars, raised surrounds and projecting cills. Plinth,
raised quoins; band and coping to parapet of parallel-ridged roof; 4 corniced end
brick chimneys. Later porch off-centre; brick with raised quoins and raised
surround to door with 6 fielded panels; flat roof. South front to garden has
scrolled pediment to central door, moulded architraves to all windows, large
oblong fanlights with radial decoration above two side doors; a C19 conservatory
encloses the 3 doors. Interior: staircase has dado rail and cornice and a
wrought-iron balustrade of c.1750 in a rococo design of leaves, seed-pods and
curved bars; the front porch has been inserted beneath this; doors to main rooms
in hall have corniced picture-panels; fluted pilasters support an elliptical arch
to the narrower section of hall opposite the stairs. LISTED GRADE 2*