Arthington Hall

Arthington Hall is a country house, largely rebuilt in the early to mid-18th century on the site of an earlier building, with alterations and extensions in the later 19th century by Waterhouse. The house is constructed of coursed dressed sandstone with a slate roof. The building has an irregular plan, with a principal rectangular front range. It is two storeys high and has 9 bays by 5, in a classical style. The symmetrical façade features a slightly projecting central five-bay section, which was formerly pedimented. A single-storey ashlar conservatory of 5 bays by 3 now occupies the position of the former porch. The conservatory has pilasters separating tall windows with four panes in each sash, a cornice, and a panelled parapet which is partially concealed by climbing plants. Otherwise, slightly recessed sash windows are present on each floor, with margin panes to the first floor. A cornice and balustraded parapet runs around the whole building. The low-pitched hipped roof is topped by two ridge chimneys. The left return wall has cornices to the ground-floor windows. A two-bay wing has been added to the rear, one bay featuring a large canted bay window at ground floor level and two dormer windows above with pedimented surrounds. The other two bays are full height with a balustraded parapet. The right-hand return wall steps out towards the rear, and includes the relocated architrave of a former doorway.

Inside, a notable feature is the oval stairwell behind the entrance hall. This stairwell contains an unusual wooden “flying” staircase that rises in two flights, returning in one, with an open string, slender turned balusters, and a handrail that wraps around the landing. The landing is surrounded by an Ionic pilastrade with an entablature and dentilled cornice, all beneath a domed ceiling with a central skylight. Panelled doors have moulded architraves and cornices.