Hauxley Hall

Hauxley Hall is a house, now subdivided, dating to the early 18th century with a major late 18th-century extension. The building’s north section is dated 1724, and the later extension created a new east-facing front. It is constructed of squared stone, with toolings visible on the south and east elevations; the roofs are covered with Welsh slate, with pantiles to the upper slopes on the north and west sides, and the chimneys are of old brick. The plan is roughly square, with an L-shaped kitchen wing on the west. The south front is in a Gothick style.

The north elevation is three storeys high, with five bays. The three right bays represent the early 18th-century section, featuring a central four-panel door, part-glazed, in a moulded surround, above a lintel panel bearing the inscription "M K 1724" (Matthew Kirton). There are paired eight-pane sashes to the ground floor, paired casements to the first floor, and paired four-pane sashes to the second floor, with the lower-floor windows set within moulded surrounds. The left bays are a late 18th-century addition, executed in a matching style, but with blind windows and a trompe l'oeil effect on the second floor to the left. A steeply-pitched hipped roof tops the structure, with stacks along the ridge and at the right end. A single-storey, two-bay kitchen wing adjoins the right side, featuring renewed paired eight-pane sashes within a 19th-century moulded surround and one blocked window. The two-bay right return displays paired twelve-pane sashes under keyed lintels, and a large square ridge stack.

The east elevation is two storeys high and symmetrical, with seven bays. It has ground-floor sill and first-floor bands. A central six-panel door, part-glazed, is set beneath a wooden swell frieze and dentil cornice; this is complemented by twelve-pane sash windows. A hipped roof features two ridge stacks.

The south elevation is two storeys high, symmetrical with three bays, and includes bands as seen on the east elevation. A central, blind doorway is situated beneath a four-pane sash window with a Gothick head within a four-centred arch. Flanking two-storey bows accommodate three similar windows to each floor; the lower windows have moulded imposts and arches. Raised parapets complete this elevation. All stacks have double-banded tops.

The interior of the south section features an Entrance Hall, originally extending the full height of the house, with an inserted three-bay screen of round piers carrying moulded round arches, revealing a spiral stair. The stair has curved treads and a moulded, ramped handrail, set atop wrought-iron twist balusters. Fielded-panel doors are fitted with swell friezes and dentil cornices. The Dining Room exhibits Gothick decoration including plaster wall panels and an arcaded cornice; doors are within ogee-arched surrounds and the room has a carved stone fireplace. The adjoining Sitting Room mirrors this decorative style with a similar cornice and a richly-carved stone fireplace. In the south-east bedroom, Gothick doors with beaded panelling, a cornice with flower ornament, and a carved stone fireplace are present. The south-west bedroom has similar doors alongside a plainer fireplace.

The north section features fielded-panel doors and shutters throughout. A dog-leg closed string stair has urn-on-vase balusters, panelled square newels, and a broad moulded handrail. Bedrooms retain old cupboards with H-hinges. The former kitchen is characterised by segmental-arched recesses and a blocked fireplace.

Historical records indicate the Kirton family held lands in Hauxley from the early 17th century; the estate was purchased by the Widdringtons in 1762. John Widdrington, who held the estate from 1783 to 1797, was likely responsible for the Hall's remodelling.