The Old Rectory

The Old Rectory is a private house, originally a rectory, dating probably to the early 16th century. The right gable bears the date 1540. The building was extensively modernised, likely in the early 20th century. The ground floor is of stone, built in the 20th century, although earlier walling is visible at the left end of the facade. The upper floor is timber-framed to the facade and right gable. It has stone slate roofs.

The main house is rectangular, with 4 bays, and has a projecting penthouse to the right side of the right gable. A 20th-century wing extends to the rear, with a more recent wing adjoining it. The main facade features mullioned ground-floor windows of 4, 6, and 4 lights, and an arched entrance. The upper floor has close studding across 4 bays. The windows are wooden casements, all transomed, with 10, 10, 12, and 8 lights, and some have side-hung openings. The right gable is stone to the ground floor, featuring a 5-light canted bay. The first floor is jettied and also has close studding and diagonal strutting. Peg holes suggest the gable originally had bargeboards. The apex is topped with a finial; the pendant portion is inscribed “T.S. 1540” (Thomas Savile). A projecting 10-light wooden casement window is positioned centrally on the gable, and the tie-beam of the roof truss is moulded. A penthouse, originally likely housing the staircase, sits to the right. A projecting stack is located on the left gable, with 2-light, double-chamfered windows to the left and right of the first floor.

Inside, five sets of posts carrying king-post trusses with struts are visible in the upper rooms, the king posts being braced to the ridge. Two ground-floor rooms feature exposed ceilings with moulded main beams, secondary beams, joists, and secondary joists. One room contains a wide, Tudor-arched fireplace with a moulded surround.

The Rectory was purchased from Kirklees Priory by Thomas Savile in 1539.