Step House is unique in Frampton Cotterell, built in the Georgian style. Observe its symmetrical design with windows spaced at equal distances either side of the front door, telling of the orderliness and elegance of privileged people during the mid 1700’s. The house is built on a raised piece of land overlooking the River Frome, having a name derived from ‘stype’ - a steep place.

The shell-hood porch is an unusual feature though similar examples exist in the Cotswold village of Marshfield. A drainpipe inscribed 1733, indicates when the house was altered to its present appearance, from probably a three gabled farmhouse. Mr Hall who like the Christy family was involved in the hat-making business, rebuilt Step House as his residence. He with Mr Vaughan employed people in hat manufacture on an adjacent site now occupied by bungalows.

A community known as ‘Sisters of Charity’ arrived in1887 from the Herefordshire village of Garway, to use Step House initially for training of nurses, and later as St Michael’s Orphanage. The accommodation was sufficient for about three-dozen destitute children and orphans who stayed until aged 14 (boys) and 16 (girls), but the home closed after the Great War.