Netherwitton Hall

NETHERWITTON NETHERWITTON NZ 1090 17/136 Netherwitton Hall 6 5 52 I Country House, 1685 probably by Robert Trollop for Sir Nicholas Thornton, incorporating C16 or earlier fabric to rear. Squared stone with dressings, coursed rubble to rear; flat lead roof. Rectangular block 7 by 3 bays, with 2 earlier stair projections and various later additions to rear.

Front 3 storeys; central part-glazed door under radial fanlight in archivolt beneath later Tuscan porch with fluted frieze and pediment. 12-pane sash windows in architraves with scrolled broken triangular and segmental pediments in changing rhythm to each floor. Central 1st floor window has broken pediment holding sundial with its own similar pediment. 4 lead rainwater heads dated 1793 with initials W M and acanthus ornament. Rusticated open-arcaded parapet has piers with ball finials. Left return has similar fenestration but different architrave moulding; 2 trompe l'oeil windows to right. Plain slab with dogtooth surround above central 1st floor window; lower section to left with blocked circular opening. Right return similar. Rear elevation irregular; projecting full-height stair turret to left of centre has flush-panelled door, in stone surround with flat-pointed arch, in square frame; and blocked 2-light mullioned windows. Renewed slab with Thornton arms and inscription ANNO REGNI EDWARD I QUINTI. Second lower stair projection to right and a lower block with weathering of high-pitched roof on wall behind, the site of former Roman Catholic Chapel. To far left block of c.l900.

Interior: Entrance hall has late C16 or early C17 fireplace, perhaps re-set, and C18 panelling. Several rooms have late C17 panelling, some re-set. Former library has plasterwork of c.1770. Late C17 main stair; stone winder stair in eastern turret. 1st floor drawing-room now subidivided into bedrooms. On 2nd floor, priest's hole at rear of cupboard.

Listing NGR: NZ1021890464