Thurnham Hall

SD 45 SE 12/214

THURNHAM Thurnham Hall

2-5-1968

GV I House, c.1600 with possible earlier remains, re-fronted 1823 by Robert Roper of Preston and restored from 1973 onwards after a long period of neglect. Sandstone rubble with ashlar west front, and slate roof. 3 storeys. West front almost symmetrical, with embattled parapet, central shallow projection, and octagonal corner turrets. On the ground floor the central section projects further forwards and has an embattled parapet. All the windows have glazing bars, chamfered reveals and hoods. At each side of the face is one bay. The ground-floor windows to these bays have Tudor-arched heads and 6 lights formed by wooden mullions and transoms, the upper lights with Tudor-arched heads. On the 1st floor are paired sashed windows with central stone mullions. On the 2nd floor are single-light windows. The central projecting section has, on the ground floor, 2 large windows of 6 lights formed by wooden mullions and transoms, the upper lights with Tudor-arched heads. On the 1st floor are 2 separate sashed windows, sharing one hood, and paired sashes with central stone mullion at a slightly lower level to the right. On the 2nd floor are 2 one-light windows. The north gable wall has exposed original masonry and 2 cross-windows with outer chamfer and inner hollow chamfer. The north wall of the rear wing shows evidence of complex re-building, including a section with a plinth and a weathered offset, said to be part of an earlier building. The windows include one of 9 lights with mullions and transoms. The rear part of the wing is lower and of a separate build, but includes some mullioned windows. The south wall of the rear wing has one bay with Venetian windows on each floor. At the rear of the main block is a semi-octagonal projection, a doorway with chamfered surround and Tudor-arched head, and 2 cross-windows lighting the stair. Interior. The rear wing contains timber-framed internal partitioning. The Great Hall has a moulded fireplace with Tudor arch, one of several in the house, a restored plaster frieze, and oak panelling brought from elsewhere during restoration. At the rear of the hall, in a later C17th addition, is an open-well stair with closed string, square newels with ball finials, and turned balusters. On the 1st floor, at the north end of the front block and in a small room behind a fireplace, is a small chamber within the wall, said to be a priest's hide.

Listing NGR: SD4635054550