Cranage Hall

Cranage Hall is a large house, originally a private mansion and later used as offices for a hospital complex, now operating as a hotel. It was built in 1829 by Lewis Wyatt and extended in 1932. The building is constructed of red brick with blue brick detailing and stone dressings, and has a slate roof. It has a basement and two storeys, with eight bays.

A prominent porch is situated at the south-west end, featuring four fluted Doric columns supporting an entablature with a triglyph and guttae frieze, which in turn supports a balcony with an openwork balustrade. The porch shelters a pair of oak doors, each with three raised and fielded panels set within a semi-circular head, and a keystone carved as a face. Plain pilasters flank the door opening. Most windows are 3-light stone mullion windows with half-height transoms, fitted with small sashes or casements. The central and penultimate bays are faced with yellow sandstone ashlar. To the north of the central bays stands a tall, octagonal tower with an ogee cap and weather vane. The exterior displays flush stone quoins, weathered and moulded first-floor and eaves string courses, blue brick diaperwork in a diamond pattern, and a solid stone parapet. The east (garden) front also has eight bays. Four tall, ashlar stone chimney stacks are present.

The library features an oak chimney piece designed around four mirrors with a bookcase above, featuring lead-glazed doors flanking slender wooden columns and inlay work. Internal doors are of oak, with double-width muntins and panelled linings, and an enriched plaster ceiling divided into five panels. One east-facing room boasts a strapwork ceiling and a deep cornice based on foliage bands separated by a wide cove. Throughout the building you find many six-panel doors. A grand oak geometrical staircase has a cut and bracketed string, a curtail step, turned balusters, and a wreathed handrail. A second staircase, painted and of a more modern design, features a cut and bracketed string, curtail steps, turned balusters, and a ramped handrail.