The Hermitage

NY 9365 20/25

ACOMB THE HERMITAGE The Hermitage

20.10.52

II* Country House. South wing rebuilt for Michael Coatsworth (owner 1741-1754), remainder for Mr. Jurin in 1760's, some earlier fabric being incorporated. Entrance block, east bay of south wing and some internal remodelling c.1890. South front tooled-and-margined ashlar, other parts rubble or roughly-squared stone with cut dressings (part of north-east wing brick-faced towards garden), C19 parts ashlar; Lakeland slate roofs. C18 house H plan, infilled on west by C19 entrance block; minor C18 and C19 additions to north.

South front 2 storeys, 7 + 1 bays. 3-stepped base, plinth, 1st floor and 1st floor sill bands, modillion eaves cornice, balustraded parapet. 7-bay part symmetrical. Projecting open-pedimented 3-bay centre has part-glazed door in eared architrave with frieze and cornice. Plate-glass sashes to ground floor, with 12-pane sashes above,1st floor with cornices on consoles and pedimented in centre. Diocletian window in keyed architrave above. Right, slightly set back C19 bay in same style has full-height canted bay facing east. Hipped roof; 2 tall stepped ridge stacks with panelled shafts and modillion cornices.

West (entrance) front has C19 projecting 2-bay centre, with similar details: right bay has 2-bay loggia with balustrade continued around forecourt; plate-glass sash to left, renewed 12-pane sashes above. East (garden) front has recessed centre with steps up to glazed double doors in late C19 pedimented doorcase with lunette above. 12-pane sash windows in raised moulded surrounds to right and in wing to right.

Interior: Early C19 dining room and library; late C19 drawing room with elaborately-carved coffered ceiling. Morning room has early C18 fireplace with deep bolection moulding. Kitchen has fireplace flanked by segmental arches with rusticated surrounds, and old charcoal-burning oven. Cellars beneath north-east wing have segmental brick vaults, except for one stone-vaulted chamber with blocked openings behind brick wine bins.Mid-C18 open-well stair with swept, moulded and wreathed handrail, turned balusters with faceted band below the knops, and curtail. Similar balustrades to closed-string servants' stair. Rococo fireplace in one bedroom and Chinese hand-painted wallpaper in another.

The house takes its name from being the reputed site of the C7 hermitage of St. John of Beverley. A medieval house, the 'Armytage', is recorded in 1496.

Listing NGR: NY9364065168