Esholt Hall With Terrace And Adjoining Conservatory

Esholt Hall, built on the site of a Medieval nunnery, dates to 1706-07 and was commissioned by Sir Walter Calverley. It is a sophisticated, double-pile house in a restrained Renaissance style, notable for its quality for the date and location in West Yorkshire. The mason was Joseph Pope of Fennley. The symmetrical, two-storey elevations are constructed of finely detailed gritstone with ashlar dressings, and are raised on a terrace incorporating the lower stages of the original nunnery. Architectural details include chamfered rusticated quoins, a plinth, moulded plat band, a simple carved modillion eaves cornice, and a blocking course. The steeply hipped slate roof features a mound valley and tall corniced ashlar chimneys.

The original south front, with seven bays, is symmetrical, with the central three bays slightly advanced beneath a modillioned pediment. Tall, gracefully proportioned windows feature glazing bar sashes in architrave surrounds, with equal proportions on both floors. A central, partly glazed doorway is set within an architrave surround topped with a segmental pediment on consoles. The east front has the three central bays slightly recessed, with similar fenestration detailing – finely carved consoles and spray in the frieze of the corniced doorway. The window above is set within an eared architrave surround and surmounted by an armorial panel with supporting sprays. A mid-19th century archivolt arched porch was added to the west front.

Good rainwater heads, bearing armorial bearings in scrolled surrounds, and featuring the owl crest, are dated 1732, relating to the Stansfield family who purchased the estate in 1755. The interior was considerably altered in the 19th century and subsequent to the building's acquisition by Bradford Corporation as offices for the sewage works. Cellars below the ashlar terrace incorporate part of the original nunnery, retaining trefoil-headed windows and a groin-vaulted roof. Adjoining the east front is a substantial conservatory dating from circa 1840-60, composed of a taller central pavilion with a raised hipped glazed roof, flanked by lower wings. The conservatory features narrow pane glazing to the roofs and glazing bar lights to the sides.