Royds Hall

1. 5111 ROYDS HALL LANE Low Moor BD6

Royds Hall SE 1428 64/88 4.9.52

II* GV

2. One of the best surviving manor houses in the Bradford area. Begun by William Rookes in 1640. A long range of 2-storeys coursed gritstone. The central portion dated 1640 and 1651 comprises 2 halls. The west cross wing is of 1656 and 1658 and the right hand wing of 3-storeys was added by Edward Rookes-Leeds in 1770. Irregular multi-gabled south garden front, saddlestones with kneelers and shaped finials. Large chamfered mullioned and transomed to window of 3 groups of 4 lights to hall and 2 groups of 4 lights to first floor of 1651 range, otherwise long ranges of 8 and 10 lights. Two-storey gabled porch with 4 central arch doorway to centre of south front with 1640 cartouche above weathered stringcourse, decorated corbels flanking massive ashlar lintel and spiral carving to spandrels of arch. Stepped 4 light window above with drip mould. The recessed gabled bay to right of porch has unusual first floor window consisting of 5 stepped lights. The 1770 wing has a canted front the centre rising through 3-storeys with lunette window in gable. Tall corniced chimneys. External chimney with offsets to west gable end. The north courtyard front has 5, 6 and 8 light chamfered mullion windows with drip moulds and similar gables. Four centred arch doorway in porch. Small bellcot. Interior very much altered early C20. Four Tuscan columns screen hall and one of circa 1770. The staircase and the balusters of one side of the gallery remain in situ. Massive fireplace backing onto porch, the overmantel with boldly carved leaf pattern. The C18 wing retains ground floor room with restrained delicate plasterwork frieze and ceiling of circa 1770. In plan the house is 2 rooms deep. Following the purchase of the estate by the Low Moor Iron Company in 1788, Royds Hall became the residence of the Rev Joseph Dawson, trained as a Scientist, who was the Chief Technologist of the company's success. He died here in 1813.

Listing NGR: SE1435628230