Ponden Hall

Ponden Hall is a large house dating back to 1634, with an addition built in 1801. It was originally built for the Heaton family. The house is constructed of coursed stone with a stone slate roof. It has two storeys. The older part of the house, on the right side, has three windows to each floor. The ground floor windows are double-chamfered, with mullions and transoms of four, five, and four lights respectively, while the first-floor windows have three lights. The left and central windows on the first floor feature flat-faced mullions, and there is a dripmould over the ground-floor windows. There is coping to the right side and an external stack with a diagonal shaft. The addition of 1801, on the left side, features a single wide bay. To the right of the addition is a pedimented doorcase with Tuscan pilasters, a frieze, and a cornice. A two-light flat-faced mullion window and a similar six-light window are situated to the left of the doorcase. Above the doorway is a round-arched niche with a keystone and imposts, containing a tablet inscribed "The Old House now standing was built by Robert Heaton for his son Michael A.D. 1634". Further inscriptions note that “The Old Porch and Peat House was built by his grandson Robert Heaton A.D. 1680,” and “The present building was rebuilt by his descendent R.H. 1801”. A corniced ridge stack is present on this section.

Inside, the former library features fluted panelling, alongside original fireplaces, panelled doors, and ceiling beams.

The Heatons were a prominent family involved in the local wool-spinning and weaving industry. The date-plaque refers to the original house, the 1801 addition, and a demolished farmstead built on the opposite side of the road in 1956. Emily Brontë, a friend of the family, frequently visited the house and used the library. It is believed that Ponden Hall may have served as inspiration for Thrushcross Grange in Wuthering Heights.