Higher Lee

SD 55 NE OVER WYRESDALE

8/13 Higher Lee 2-5-1968 GV II*

House, c.1720. Sandstone rubble with stone slate roof. Double-depth plan. A symmetrical composition of 2 storeys with attic and 5 bays with cornice and chamfered quoins. Windows have architraves and are sashed with glazing bars. Door has stone surround with shallow cyma moulding. Gables have copings and kneelers with ball finials. Chimneys on gables and on ridge to right of door. The rear wall contains re-used C17th dressings, including ovolo-moulded mullioned windows, a doorway with shaped lintel inscribed 'RWP 1671', and a wide decorated lintel over a cellar window. Interior has an entrance hall with a stone screen of 3 arches opening into the main room. At the rear of the hall is a similar arch opening into the stair hall. The arches are round and moulded, with fluted keystones and moulded imposts. Between the arches pilasters have been removed. Above the arches, on 2 adjacent walls, is a full stone entablature with pulvinated frieze. Some of the dentils have been marked out but not fully cut, suggesting that the carving was done in situ. The east side of the screen, within the main room, is treated similarly. The fireplace in this room has a moulded elliptical arch, with keystone, rising from fluted pilasters. The entablature has a pulvinated frieze, the cornice forming the mantel. The stair has an open string, turned balusters and ramped handrail, one original carved tread bracket remaining. The attic has trusses with king posts rising from collars.

Listing NGR: SD5632355726