The rambling old rectory at Somersby was the birthplace of Alfred Lord Tennyson, who was born here on the 6th of August 1809. The building is an attractive Georgian structure, painted white and with a small balcony, an oriel window and a pantiled roof. The large gothic dining room, with its tall gables, was added in 1819, and was designed by the poet's father, and built by his coachman, Hollins. {1} Former rectory dating from the mid 18th century, now in use as a private residence. The building has been subject to some alterations in the later 18th and 19th centuries, and in about 1975. It was constructed of colourwashed red brick and features a double-ridged pantile roof with two red brick gable stacks and brick-coped gables. It is of two storeys with cellars, and has a five-bay front, with the main doorway having a traceried fanlight flanked by single slender Doric pilasters with entablature and open pediment. The single-segmental arched cellar opening is to the left, along with four cambered-arched glazing bar sashes. For the full description and the legal address of this listed building please refer to the appropriate entry in the National Heritage List for England. {2}{3} The eastern wing on the south side was the part designed by George Tennyson in 'Carpenter's Gothic' style, though this has largely been trimmed of its Gothic bits. The brick laying was done by the coachman, Mr Howlings. The main part of the house has an elegant, perhaps late Georgian staircase. {4}