Listed Building: The Hall (1075245)

Country house. Early C17, remodelled c.1800 in Gothick manner by owner Thomas Reeve Thornton; park front re-windowed 1912 in Jacobean style by firm of Law and Harris. Ironstone ashlar, lead roofs, stone internal stacks. H-plan originally, made double-depth in later alterations. 3 storeys. 5-window entrance front has recessed centre between bay windows in angles and single-bay wings. Central 6-panel double-leaf door in moulded stone architrave with plain frieze and cornice on tapering pendant supports - probably C18 in Jacobean style - flanked by 2-light leaded arched stone mullion and transom windows. Similar windows to sides of bays either side which have similar 4-light windows to front; similar 4-light windows to ground floor of projecting wings. Similar tiers of windows without transoms to first and second floors, diminishing in height. Plinth, string courses above window heads and below plain stone coped parapets. Parapets truncated slightly raised over wings and recessed centre, with bases of truncated pinnacles. 4-window park front to left side has similar 3-light windows set in slight projections. Rear elevation retains its Gothick pointed arched windows and has small pointed arched door to right below large 2-light window cutting across first floor string course and lighting staircase. Transom and Y-tracery. Groups of 3-pointed arched Gothick sash windows to projecting bay to right and to 2-storey wing at right angles to left end with C19 single-storey billiard room extension. 4-window right side elevation to churchyard has irregular fenestration of 2-, 3- and 4-light stone mullion windows, those to first and second floors with hood moulds and projecting staircase tower. Interior: one ground floor room has C17 panelling assembled from other parts of house, interiors otherwise mostly C18, including Dining Room with Gothick plasterwork frieze on miniature corbels. The Staircase Hall has neo-classical stucco ceiling and flying staircase with iron balustrade with unusual plant like forms and ramped mahogany handrail; an identical balustrade designed 1801 by John Patersson of Edinburgh for Francis Sitwell is to be found at Barmoor Castle, Northumberland. Drawing Room plaster ceiling in Adam style of 1889 by C. Wood. Secondary staircase in tower with late C17 or early C18 turned balusters; probably original principal staircase. Seat of the Thorntons from 1625 until purchased in recent times by the present owner. Thomas Reeve Thornton who carried out alterations c.1800 appears to have acted as his own architect. He also landscaped the grounds with the advice of a Mr. Webb. (Buildings of England: Northants, pp.127-8; Country Life, Nov. 26, 1964, p.1428 et seq. and letter, Jan. 7, 1965; Colvin, A Dictionary of British Architects, p.624).

Record last edited

Jun 5 2023 9:51AM