Hebblethwaithe Hall

Description

A former farmhouse, now a house, which was probably built in the 16th or early 17th century. It has since been much altered and rebuilt, mostly in the late 18th or early 19th century, and has recently been restored. It is made from coursed sandstone rubble with large quoins and has a stone slate roof with some blue slate on the north slope of the main range. The two storey house has a modified L-plan, with the earliest range on a north-south axis now forming a wing to the east half of the present main range, which has an east-west axis. The present main range includes some of the earlier fabric, although it was mostly rebuilt or enlarged in the late 18th or early 19th century. It also includes a short extension at the east end, which appears to incorporate masonry of the earlier build. Deeds and wills of the 16th century refer to it as the New Hall, implying the existence of a previous hall house. (PastScape)

Farmhouse, now house. Probably C16 or early C17 but much altered and rebuilt, mostly in late C18 or earlier C19; recently restored. Coursed sandstone rubble with large quoins, stone slate roof with some blue slate on the north slope of the main range. Modified L-plan, with the earliest range on a north-south axis now forming a wing to the east half of the present main range, which has an east-west axis and includes some of the earlier fabric but was mostly re-built or enlarged in the later C18 or early C19; plus a short extension at the east end of this, which appears to incorporate masonry of the earlier build. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys. There is no architectural "front": the approach is from the north, where the main range has a square-headed doorway next to the junction with the wing, a 1-light window to the right of this, a stone-slate drip-band over both these, a 2-light casement above, and a chimney at the west gable. The west side of the wing has one restored sash window on each floor, and a blocked doorway to the right of that at ground floor, with a large monolith lintel; its north gable has a square fixed window in the blocked opening of another doorway to the right at ground floor, a stone slate drip-course and a wide stepped gable chimney. The east wall has old small masonry at ground floor of the south end of the present main range, containing a mullioned window now of 2 round-headed lights with the remains of 3rd light to the left, an inserted or restored 6-pane sash above this, and one square window on each floor to the right: a 6-pane sash at ground floor (in the blocked opening of another doorway) and above this a recently exposed and restored 6-light oak mullion-and-transom window with chamfered mullions and some surviving wooden saddle-bars. The lean-to extension, of 2 low storeys, has a doorway at ground floor and a square 16-pane fixed window above with one opening pane. The south facade, which is the "back" of the main range, has a narrow inserted doorway offset to the right (up a short flight of steps), a rectangular 12-pane stair-window offset left, and two restored 6-pane sashes on each floor. INTERIOR: present kitchen in south end of earlier range has high ceiling with large lateral beam slotted as if for a former partition, joists on the south side with small moulded decoration and those on the north side chamfered; and large C18 fireplace with corbelled lintel (recently raised). Room at north end of this range has part of a small brick bread-oven in the north gable wall, and a large late C18 built-in cupboard to the right. Late C18 dog-legged staircase with open string, square newels and 2 turned balusters per tread; small cellar under stairs. Forms group with Hebblethwaite Hall Cottage and attached barn to north. (Listed Building Report)

Comments

The reason for Perriam and Robinson including this site of a medieval hall in a gazetteer of 'fortified buildings' is obscure. Although this was probably a manorial centre the form of the medieval building is not known but doesn't seem to be described as either a tower or moated.