It was restored by the Architect, Benjamin Tindall,  in 1981.

This restoration was an act of faith on the part of the architect as, at this time, the area immediately surrounding the house was derelict and faced an uncertain future.

 

The front of the building is built up in a pyramid arrangement from the five-bay windows on the ground floor followed by a three-bay first floor and finally a chimney gablet.

Other architectural features of the building are the well preserved scrolled skewputs.

The house was originally built for William Clifton, Solicitor of Excise in 1734.

The restored crest above the entrance door bears the initials of William and his wife Mary

Before its restoration by Benjamin Tindall the house was used as railway office for the St Leonard's Rail Yard.
 

The house was once owned by Robert Scott who was an engraver. He had two sons William and David.


David Scott (1802-49) became a painter who specialised in imaginative historical scenes and his brother William was a Pre-Raphaelite painter.

The ornate ironwork gate was designed by Benjamin Tindall and was inspired by a floral archway that once led from the house to an orchard


The gate was made by the blacksmith, Alan Dawson.


The house is surrounded by a beautifully restored stone wall and contains a compact but well stocked garden.