The Manor House

NZ 0415 STARTFORTH HIGH STARTFORTH (South side)

12/174 The Manor House 12.1.67

GV II

House, late C17, probably for Ambrose Barnes. Stone, rendered and pebbledashed; cut dressings. Graduated stone slate roof.

South elevation 2 storeys + attic, 5 bays, symmetrical. Central renewed fielded-panel door and radial fanlight in rusticated surround, with raised imposts and keystone, flanked by pilasters carrying a cornice topped by 2 courses of stone slates; above is a keyed oval with radial glazing. Ground floor small-paned casements in cross windows with panelled mullions and transoms; 4-pane sashes, with pulvinated friezes and cornices, to 1st floor; all windows in architraves, those in second bay renewed. Central 2-light flat-mullioned attic window directly beneath eaves. Coped gables on moulded kneelers; stepped-and-corniced end stacks. Left return shows 1st-floor 4-pane casement and 2 chamfered attic lights; right return shows 1st floor 4-pane sash, with 4-pane casement and 4-pane sash to attic.

Road front: Central boarded door in surround of pilasters, frieze and cornice topped by 2 courses of stone slates, between small chamfered windows, the left one with 4-pane casement and old iron bar, the right one blocked. To right is a 2-light chamfered mullioned window; ground floor left bay blank. 1st floor central keyed oval flanked by 2-light mullioned windows in architraves.

Interior: Dining room fireplace with chamfered lintel on bolster impost blocks, sitting room fireplace with early C19 ironwork, flanked by open cupboards in architraves. Closed-string dogleg stair with turned balusters, square newels and moulded handrail. 2-panel doors throughout. Bedroom wall cupboards with H and butterfly hinges. Attics have 3 stop-chamfered upper- cruck trusses with collar beams and later saddles.

Historical note: Ambrose Barnes, d.1710, was a noted Puritan, and became Lord Mayor of Newcastle. In early C19 the house was a "Yorkshire" boarding school.

Pent single-storey extension on left return is not of special interest.

Listing NGR: NZ0461115874