Fixby Hall

Fixby Hall is a substantial country house, likely of mid to late 18th century origin, though probably incorporating fabric from an earlier house belonging to the Thornhill family. Richard Oastler, a noted factory reformer, resided here while serving as steward of the Thornhill estates between 1820 and 1838. The hall is constructed of hammer-dressed stone with a hipped roof of stone slates. It presents an L-shaped plan with later, early to mid 19th century infill at the rear.

The east front features two slightly projecting wings, each terminating in canted bays, and has four window bays between. The north front has five window bays, while the south front has eight, plus a main entrance with a moulded surround featuring a pulvinated frieze and a triangular pediment supported by moulded consoles. The rear elevation displays two canted bay windows with sash windows and glazing bars. The exterior is characterized by a modillioned eaves cornice with a parapet and balustrades, with vase-shaped balusters above each window range. All windows are sash windows with glazing bars in plain raised surrounds. Contemporary rainwaterheads are also present, two retaining their original downpipes.

Internally, the hall retains numerous late 18th century features. Shutters with fielded panelling are present on most windows; those in the Bar and Dining Room exhibit more elaborate moulded fielded panelling. Most doors and door reveals share a similar style of fielded panelling. Notable features include a late 18th century marble chimneypiece in the Hall, a fireplace incorporating Arts-and-Crafts tiles, and an elaborate late 19th century neo-Renaissance brass hood with gryphon reliefs. The Bar has a semi-circular west end with two doors featuring fielded panelling externally and moulded panelling internally, an anthemion frieze, a dentilled cornice, and fielded panelling to dado height. The Dining Room showcases a ceiling with a geometrical pattern of flat ribs, a central roundel and a moulded cornice, with two mahogany doors, elaborately surrounded at the north end. The Committee Room contains a mid 19th century marble arched fireplace. A room above the Bar features a chimneypiece with a moulded surround, festoons of husks, and a dentilled cornice, along with coving to the ceiling. The Billiard Room's chimneypiece is distinguished by fluted Ionic columns, an elaborately carved frieze, and a dentilled cornice. The Ladies’ Locker Room's chimneypiece has a moulded saves surround, scrolled sides, a fluted frieze, a moulded cornice that breaks forward over a die with husks and a swag and patera. A Rear Locker Room once featured a chimneypiece, now partially concealed. The imperial-style staircase is supported by two Tuscan columns and two attached Tuscan three-quarter columns, with an elaborate cast iron balustrade and a mahogany handrail. The semi-landing features French casements and a late 19th century painted glass fanlight depicting a Lakeland scene with garlands of flowers and grapes.