Royle Hall Farmhouse

Royle Hall Farmhouse, probably dating from the earlier and later 18th century and subsequently altered, is built of watershot coursed squared sandstone with quoins, the south gable now rendered. It has a stone slate roof. The building was formed by adding cottages to the site of the former Royle Hall, which was demolished in the mid-20th century, and the cottages have been extended and integrated into a farmhouse.

The plan consists of a 3-unit double-depth layout with a former pair of single-fronted cottages facing west, an addition to the north, and extensions to the rear. The west front is low, with two storeys and initially two windows, although the extension to the left has no windows on the first floor. The original two-unit range has quoins marking the junction with the extension, and ragged masonry at the right-hand corner where it connected to the former hall. Each former cottage has a doorway to the right. The doorway of the right-hand cottage is protected by a gabled porch with a round-headed arch, gable coping with kneelers and ball finials (with the left side overlapping the doorway jamb), while the other doorway is now blocked. Each cottage originally had a pair of rectangular windows at ground floor. The window to the right-hand cottage has a plain surround, a square-cut flush mullion and 9-pane top-hung casements. The window to the left has one light blocked and the other enlarged. At the first floor, each cottage has a three-light mullioned window with square-cut mullions, a metal-framed casement in the centre and diamond-lattice glazing. The left-hand extension has two 9-pane top-hung casements at ground floor. Chimneys rise from the ridge at both junctions and from the gable ends.

The right-hand gable wall incorporates a substantial early 17th century segmental-arched fireplace, approximately 3 metres wide, with a round-headed arch to its left, both having moulded surrounds. The rear elevation includes a relocated 17th century two-light mullioned window at first floor, with an ovolo mullion. The interior has not been inspected. The farmhouse forms a group with a stable block approximately 15 metres to the north-east, and with gate piers at the south end of the yard.