Thornhill Lees Hall

Lees Hall is an early 15th-century timber-framed house, likely begun around 1412 for William Nettleton of Quarmby, with later additions and alterations. Much of the original house was destroyed, but the surviving east wing and part of the central hall range remain. Robert Nettleton added to the hall in 1530.

The building's construction reflects a history of changing techniques. The east wing, a two-storey, two-bay structure, is of sawn oak, assembled with round section pegs driven from the outside, suggesting it was built before the main hall. It features close studding on the sides and diagonal studding to the gable ends. The interior of the wing includes a single first-floor chamber with an exceptionally fine 17th-century plaster frieze and ceiling, decorated with squares, lozenges, and triangles containing flowers, fleur-de-lis, and exotic fruit. The tie-beam of the centre truss is also embellished with plasterwork, depicting affronted unicorns and lions alongside female figures and trees. The floor deck is believed to be of the 17th century. Other plasterwork and wainscotting have been removed.

The open hall is approximately one and a half bays long, with posts, bressumers, and wall plates featuring close studding. King-post trusses are arched-braced to the ridge, and the central truss has more elaborate stop-chamfered details. There are two purlins to each pitch. A well-preserved canopy, constructed of curved oak planks with lath and plaster infill, spans the full width of the hall at its east end. The west wall of the hall is of 20th-century brickwork and includes a recent fireplace, while the north side features a penthouse containing an open staircase leading to the first floor of the east wing. The penthouse stair has turned balusters; the walls are of 17th-century stone, but mortice holes in the wall plate reveal that the structure was originally timber framed.

The house was occupied by the Nettleton family until 1655, subsequently passing to Thomas Hobson (until 1668), then the Radcliffe family, and later the Thornhill family of Fixby in the 18th century.