It’s always a treat to survey the stunning Arts and Crafts properties in Merseyside’s Port Sunlight. On his last visit, our Wirral surveyor took the opportunity to explore this beautiful village.
Grade II Listed Living Spaces
When William Lever built Port Sunlight to house workers at his soap factory, he employed a staggering 30 architects to design the buildings and monuments that make up the village. And it shows – Port Sunlight has retained more than 900 Grade II listed homes and public buildings. They are all great examples of two architectural styles of the time: the Aesthetic Movement, that placed emphasis on beauty in building design rather tham simply function, and the Arts and Crafts movement, which valued traditional craftsmanship.
The terrace pictured below comprises 4 houses – they were destroyed in World War 2, but rebuilt soon after in 1947. The traditional craftmanship is evidenced by the timber framed construction and timber detailing on the exterior.
This row of nine houses was designed by J. Lomax Simpson and dates back to 1926. This is another timber-framed property, with beautiful decorative timberwork on some of the gables. Some of the gables are also ‘jettied’; i.e., they overhang the storey below. This mimicked the medieval style of building and was a feature of the Timber Frame Revival movement of the late 19th/early 20th century.
This terrace of 6 houses was built at the very turn of the century, around 1900. Designed by Grayson and Ould, the red brick is broken up by decorative bands of blue brick. The pediment is very ornate, with decorative plasterwork featuring festoons, the letter ‘L’ and the year of construction.
Historic Monuments and Public Buildings
As well as the stunning homes in the village, there are a number of beautifully designed monuments and public buildings. The Port Sunlight War Memorial was commissioned by Lever to commemorate workers who had died in the First World War. Designed by Sir Goscombe John, an eminent Welsh Sculptor, it consists of an imposing 11.5m runic cross, surrounded by bronze statues depicting children and soldiers. This monument is the only Grade I listed structure in the area – this is the highest level of protection that can be afforded to a structure, indicating that is is of exceptional historic interest.
Lever was passionate about art, and another of his legacies is the Grade II listed Lady Lever Art Gallery. This was built in 1913, and as well as housing an art collection that gives a fascinating insight into tastes at the time, it is itself a brilliant example of contemporary architecture. This building was designed by Warrington architects William and Segar Owen, and is a great example of the Beaux-Arts style, which was heavily influenced by French architecture.
Period Property Surveys
Period properties can be a great investment; they often have more character than modern builds, and can hold their value better. However, it is important to be aware of the repair and maintenance needs of these buildings, as they are often more extensive that properties than are just a few decades old. Furthermore, the techiniques and materials used in remedial and maintenance works can have a significant effect on the proper functioning of the building, particularly when it comes to maintaining ciruclation and preventing damp. It is therefore vital to make sure that appropriate methods and materials are used when carrying out repairs to such properties.
A Level 3 building survey will thoroughly assess the condition and structural state of a period house. The surveyor will be looking for both visible issues and potential, hidden problems. As well as describing any defects in detail, they will also provide advice on how to rectify any problems and, crucially, will provide estimated costs for major items of work. This information can be extremely valuable to anyone purchasing a home by allowing them not only to budget for works required, but often to also negotiate on the purchase price.
