Academy Hall

Academy Hall is a school building that has been converted into a theatre with flats above. It was constructed in the mid to late 19th century and features coursed squared sandstone with alternating quoins and window dressings, topped with a blue slate roof. The building is two storeys high and has four bays, with the outer bays angled back to create a half-octagonal front. The sash windows have stop-chamfered surrounds, with 12-pane windows on the ground floor, 9-pane windows on the first floor, and 6-pane windows on the top floor. The roof is low-pitched and hipped at the front, with set-back side chimneys. The entrance is located on the right return, which has similar window openings. Gainford Academy operated from 1818 to 1899, and the current building may include materials from 1819. Notably, the film comedian Stan Laurel was a pupil here towards the end of the academy's operation. The school was later converted into a theatre with flats above and was largely unoccupied at the time of the last survey. The building is included for its historical interest.