Ackworth Grange

ACKWORTH RIGG LANE SE41NE (north side, off) 3/29 Ackworth Grange 25.3.1968 GV II

House. Late C18 or early C19, on earlier site. Coursed squared sandstone, slate roof. Rectangular plan. Two storeys and 3 bays, symmetrical, with full-height bows flanking the centre; central round-headed doorway with double doors, fanlight with radiating glazing bars, and pedimented Tuscan doorcase with mutules to the pediment; above this, a 12-pane sashed window; the flanking bows have tripartite sashed windows on both floors, with flat- faced mullions, 12-pane sashes in the centre and 8-pane sashes at the sides; modillioned cornice and low blocking course; low-pitched hipped roof and side-wall chimneys. Left return wall has 2 windows on each floor, all blind except the upper left, and cornice carried round. Larger service element to rear, earlier than front range and of 3 storeys to same height, and with same cornice continued, has, inter alia, a doorway and 2 windows with arched heads (probably early C19 alterations) and boxed sashed windows on all floors. Interior: fine cantilevered stone staircase, half-turned with landings, with scrolled soffits to the steps, iron balusters with foliated panels, and ramped handrail with wreathed curtail; 6-panel doors with reeded architraves.

History: known as "Briars Flatts" in late C18, acquired by Roman Catholic Tempest family of Broughton Hall nr. Skipton in 1836, and then known as Ackworth Grange; former Catholic chapel by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, 1842, demolished 1966. Reference: Kate Taylor, Wakefield District Heritage (Wakefield 1979) Vol II p.78.

Listing NGR: SE4601017469