VISIT BROAD LEYS
The Staircase & Gallery
Arts and craft in function
Leading directly from the great Hall, the main staircase connects the ground floor to the first floor landing and gallery. The wide, gentle, easy going treads reflect the calmness of the house.
The staircase capsule or tower incorporates so many typical elements of Voysey's style - from the heart motifs in the balustrades to the understated central pendant light fitting.
LIght is brought into the landing through the metal windowed tower overlooking the main entrance courtyard, giving a clear view of all comings and goings to and from the house. The wide window sills providing ample display space for the plants and ornaments that were popular at the time. The oak spindles are so clearly Voysey design with the heart shape inserts in each spindle.
The heart shape theme starts on the hinges of the front door and continues through to the top of the stairs and bedrooms. The original light fitting can still be seen.
The galleried landing was originally going to be much bigger, but Arthur and Helen Currer-Briggs wanted to make better use of the space and requested an additional bedroom and a store room that fits neatly into the space at the side of the staircase, which is accessed through room 4.
The minstrel gallery has panoramic views overlooking the hall and beyond through the bay window to the escarpment down to the foreshore and lake. The two carved corbel grotesques below the gallery are thought to be Voysey's playful likeness of Arthur Currer-Briggs.
The fire door onto the landing is a new addition to meet Health and Safety requirements. However it gave an excellent space for the model of 'Miss England' donated to the club, thus bringing the heritage of architecture and power boat racing together. The original 'Miss England' is in the Science Museum Collection, Manchester.
