Ruins Of Thorpe Salvin Hall

The ruins of Thorpe Salvin Hall are a ruined mansion dating from the mid to late 16th century, built for Hercy Sandford, who died in 1582. The hall is constructed of rubble limestone, with no remaining roof. The visible remains show a symmetrical south wall, originally part of a courtyard-plan mansion, featuring round corner turrets, projections for external stacks, and a central porch. The bases of rear corner turrets also survive, with the turret on the right linked by a section of plinth wall.

The design is in the Tudor domestic style, and would originally have had transomed, ovolo-moulded mullioned windows, mostly of three lights. Large quoins and a chamfered plinth are prominent. The central porch projection has a doorway with a double-chamfered surround and a Tudor-arched lintel with a hoodmould; a blocked three-light mullioned window above also has a hoodmould. A transomed first-floor window, originally with a hoodmould, is now used as pigeon holes. A transomed second-floor window, beneath a dripcourse, also survives. Three bays were originally present on each side, with blind central stack projections surmounted by sections of mulled friezes and diagonally-set stack plinths; one bay has collapsed above ground floor level. The turret at the left end is ruined, while the turret on the right remains largely intact, featuring windows set on a curve. A second-floor window on this turret lacks mullions and is set beneath a rebuilt parapet.

The right return shows the remains of a plinth and a projection for a stop-chamfered doorway, as well as the base of the right turret. The left return displays the base of a rear turret with a chamfered, square-headed doorway attached. Inside, the rear of the facade retains large ground-floor fireplaces with remaining relieving arches, and triangular-headed fireplaces to upper floors. Heraldic panels on the gatehouse indicate a construction date of 1565-82.

The property was sold to Sir Edward Osborne in 1636. His successor, Thomas Osborne, Earl of Danby, resided there until after his marriage; he later became Charles II's chief minister and was created Duke of Leeds in 1694 before the family moved to Kiveton Park. The ruins are designated as a scheduled Ancient Monument.