The Nunnery

ARTHINGTON ARTHINGTON LANE SE 24 NE LS21 (north side) 2/89 The Nunnery (Formerly 6th February 1952 listed as "Arthington Nunnery") GV II*

House, incorporating some fabric of former nunnery. Dated 1585 in spandrel of door; altered and restored. Coursed squared sandstone with quoins, stone slate roof. T-plan formed by 3-unit front range with continuous outshut and short rear wing. Three storeys; main chimney stack at junction of 1st and 2nd bays, and slightly to the left of this a moulded Tudor-arched outer doorway with shields in the spandrels inscribed: " T : B " (left) and " I : B " (right); 1585 above this doorway a shallow canted oriel rising through 2 storeys, with recessed mullioned windows of 1 + 3 + 1 lights on each level; to the left, similar mullioned windows of 5 lights on each floor; to the right king- mull ion windows of 5 + 5 and 4 + 4 lights on each floor, and in addition a small light on each upper floor in line with the chimney stack (stair windows: see below). Large chimney stack on ridge with 2 diagonal flues, another diagonal chimney to an external stack at the right hand gable; gable copings, with apex finial on left gable. The left return wall has a 5-light window on each floor of the main range, a 2-and a 3-light window to the outshut, and a single-light window near the apex. The right-hand wall has 2-light windows on each floor forward of the external chimney stack, and to the rear 5, 3 and 1-light windows. Rear mostly altered.

Interior: massive round-headed doorways at the front and rear of the 1st bay in line with the front door, indicating former through-passage; similar archway through rear of stack between 1st and 2nd units; in centre room, a very large Tudor-arched fireplace with chamfered surround (this room formerly single-storey, now open to 1st storey, and gallery inserted); at 1st floor level of this part, a Tudor-arched chamber fireplace, and close to the front wall an altered doorway opening onto a spiral stone staircase which rises to the 2nd floor, and formerly higher (probably remains of tower of nunnery); moulded plaster ceiling decoration in parlour in 3rd room at ground floor; in rear wall at 2nd floor, 2 Tudor-arched doorways (one blocked) which appear to have been formerly external.

Listing NGR: SE2887845151