York House

This list entry was subjected to a Minor Enhancement on 2 April 2024 to amend details in the description, add Historical note and source and reformat the text to current standards

SE 3220 NE 1/24

DRURY LANE No 12 (York House)

(Formerly listed as Wakefield and County Club)

14.7.53.

II*

Large house built by about 1775 for James Banks (founder of Wakefield’s first purpose-built theatre), later used as the Wakefield and County Club (a gentleman’s club) until about 1950, now used as a hotel.

This is a substantial square house of two and a half storeys with principal facades to the north and west, both of five bays, with classical-style central entrances. Built of light-coloured red brick with finely gauged arches, triple keystones and stone cills to recessed sash windows with glazing bars, some being original, some early C19. The stone slate roof is hipped and has a moulded stone eaves cornice. The two-storey kitchen wing attached to the north-east has a ground-floor Venetian window with a lunette window to the upper floor.

The interior woodwork is complete and of good quality, particularly the doorcases. There are three handsome carved chimneypieces, one with a panel retaining an original painting of a Chinese scene. The hall and landings have arches, and the staircase is rather small. Most of the rooms have deep plaster cornices. The Adam-style decoration in one room is later reproduction.

Listing NGR: SE3292520789