Walmoor Hill, English country house in Chester, England
Walmoor Hill is a red sandstone residence positioned on elevated ground that overlooks the River Dee, with a grey-green slate roof and a distinctive T-shaped floor plan. Its placement commands views across the surrounding landscape and the river valley.
John Douglas, a Chester-based architect, designed and built this residence for himself in 1896 and remained its resident until his death in 1911. The building later passed through various institutional uses before becoming Cheshire Fire Brigade headquarters.
The carved monograms JD and STD appear throughout the stonework, marking the builder's personal signature on his creation. These initials remind visitors of the architect's presence and pride in what he built.
The elevated location means you will climb to reach the building and get clear views from the approach. The house has been adapted for various uses over time, so its interior layout may differ from its original residential design.
A room positioned above the two-storey entrance porch functioned as a private oratory, with an oriel window framing views from above the arched doorway. This hidden devotional space shows the architect's personal interests beyond secular design.
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