Little Mearley Hall

SD 74 SE MEARLEY

SD 775 416

7/93 Little Mearley Hall 29.12.1952 - II*

House, late C16th with early C19th alterations and re-used early C16th window. Rubble, mostly pebbledashed with roof of slate and stone slate. 2 storeys with attic. The north-west front has a cross-wing at its right-hand side having a window with plain stone surround on the ground floor. On the 1st floor is a window with 2 mullions remaining, with an inner hollow chamfer and an outer hollow chamfer with angle bead. The attic has a stepped 3-light mullioned window with double chamfer and hood. The main range has a 2-bay facade of squared sandstone, having paired sashed windows with glazing bars in plain stone surrounds, separated by square mullions. To the left is a door with plain stone surround. At the far left is a 2-storey semi-octagonal bay window of sandstone ashlar, from Sawley Abbey (VCH). 3 sides now have sashed windows with glazing bars. The sides are separated by buttresses with decorated offsets, capped by crocketed gablets at 1st floor level and with attached octagonal shafts above with tracery decoration. Level with the 1st floor is a band of blank arcading with ogees and cinquefoils. At the rear the cross-wing has double-chamfered mullioned windows, as does the ground floor of the main range. On the 1st floor is a 4-light mullioned window with outer casement moulding with angle bead, and inner hollow chamfer. The lights have segmental heads. At the far right is a similar surround, now reconstructed. The door, at the left of the main range, has a moulded surround with Tudor-arched head. Above is a stone plaque inscribed '1590' with the arms of Nowell quartering Walmesley and the initials of Christopher Nowell and Elizabeth (Walmesley) his wife (VCH). Inside, the front room of the cross-wing has a wide fireplace with chamfered segmental arch. The room in the main range lit by the bay window has 2 built-in cupboards of C18th type, with raised panels, and semi-circular heads. Each is flanked by fluted pilasters. The central room also has a built-in cupboard with raised panels. An early C19th engraving shows the bay window before sashes were inserted. Whitaker, T. An History of the Original Parish of Whalley. 4th ed., 1876, Vol.II, p.114.

Listing NGR: SD7753241617