Hopwood Hall

Hopwood Hall is a substantial house, largely dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, but incorporating elements of an early 16th-century open-hall timber-framed structure, alongside 19th and 20th-century additions and alterations. It is now part of a training college. The building is constructed of brick with stone dressings and has a graduated stone slate roof. The design is based on a quadrangular plan, with later additions to the west, including a 20th-century extension which is not of special interest.

A symmetrical gatehouse, dating from 1690 and rebuilt in the 20th century, provides access to the courtyard via double studded-oak gates. The gatehouse features a projecting plinth, stone quoins, a segmental archway, and a flat roof replacing the original pitched roof. The main façade has two six-light double-chamfered stone mullion and transom windows on each floor. A 19th-century oriel window is situated in bay 2, displaying a coat of arms and castellated parapet. The windows, which possess leaded lights and hoodmoulds (with coiled stops on the ground floor), have largely been replaced or re-cut. A two-bay addition from the 19th century replicates similar details. The left return includes a library dating to around 1755, with a 19th-century two-storey bay window, and a dining room dating to around 1840, featuring large mullion and transom windows.

The rear (south) elevation features four bays and various later additions which step up the hill to the left. The original screens-passage door with stone surround remains in its original position, alongside a two-storey late 16th-century canted bay window with nine-light mullion and transom windows on each floor. The canted bay windows in bays 3 and 4 are 19th century and contribute significantly to the building's distinctive character. Bay 1 has mullioned windows on each floor; the later additions have casements. Numerous circular chimney shafts are predominantly 19th or 20th century.

The interior retains several original features. The 16th-century roof trusses, including the spere truss over the original hall, are intact, featuring king posts and cusped braces. The floor inserted in the late 16th century is also complete with its heavily moulded beams. A substantial quantity of carved oakwork is present, including doors, door surrounds, fire surrounds, and panelling, with varying ages and origins, much dating from the early 17th century. A Tudor-arched stone fire surround, dated 1658, bears the initials FG and a coat of arms. Other interior features, including much 19th-century work, are also of interest.

The house is particularly noteworthy as an example of a quadrangular plan developed around a timber-framed open hall.