Remains Of Manor House At Priory Farm

The remains of the manor house at Priory Farm date back to the 13th century and were built for Hugh of Darlington, Prior of Durham from 1258 to 1272. Constructed from sandstone rubble with quoins and ashlar dressings, the structure features an L-plan for the west part and much of three sides of the east part, which are connected by early 20th-century byres. The west wall stands approximately 5 metres high and includes large irregular quoins, two low square-headed openings—one with a large triangular stone lintel and the other with an irregular stone lintel—as well as two courses above the sill level of the upper storey that show one opening with irregular-block jambs. About 3 metres of the south wall remains, lacking any notable features.

The east part retains most of the east wall and parts of the north and south walls of a rectangular building that was originally two storeys high and possibly three bays wide. The east wall has clasping buttresses, with the right one being wider and featuring top corbels; part of the parapet still exists. A tall, slightly-chamfered round-headed panel contains a blocked two-centred-arched window with cusped intersecting tracery, and further blocking in the lower part extends from the ground to form a later chimney. The south wall has one small chamfered lancet, while the north wall features a small narrow slit window with a chamfered surround and a small chamfered lancet above it.

Inside, there is a first-floor flat-Tudor-arched fireplace that has been inserted. A single medieval round pier survives in the linking 20th-century farm building, which is otherwise not of interest. The site is recognized as a scheduled ancient monument and was historically used as a hunting lodge.