Werneth Hall

Werneth Hall is a house, later used as a residential home and now a domestic dwelling, with origins in the 17th century or earlier and substantial alterations throughout its history. The building is constructed of coursed and squared sandstone with a stone flagged roof and Welsh slate roofing. It comprises two parallel gabled wings originally, now linked by a main range built in 1990-91 which replaced a smaller cottage, possibly on the site of an earlier hall range. The south-west wing is the earliest surviving part of the building.

The south-west wing is two storeys high with a cellar, though internal floor levels have been altered. It has coped gables on each side, featuring a three-tier, five-light mullioned and transomed window with a hood mould on the ground floor, and a similar two-tier window above, both incorporating some replacement mullions. A matching window is present in the opposite gable to the rear. Two additional gables are set against the return of this wing towards Frederick Street, the left-hand gable likely dating from the late 18th century, and constructed of coursed rubble with angle quoins. The main entrance is situated to the right, within a moulded architrave, with a French window inserted to the left. A narrower wing was added to the right in the later 19th century, featuring renewed two-light casement windows on both floors and a projecting side wall chimney. The north-east wing has not always been used for domestic purposes. A five-light mullioned and transomed window is found on each floor within the gable facing Werneth Hall Road, alongside a doorway to the left. The current roof is parallel to the street and likely reflects earlier alterations that reduced the original gable’s height. Inserted windows are visible in the side return and opposite gable end, where a former pitching eye remains visible towards the apex.

Inside the house, remnants of the original building can be seen in the south-west wing, including a wide, voussoir arched fireplace in the ground floor north-west room. The internal cross wall is timber-framed, at least at attic level, with square panels containing wattling. The roof structure includes a queen post and strut roof truss with collar.