Sutton Scarsdale Hall

Country house, built in 1724 by Francis Smith of Warwick for Nicholas, Earl of Scarsdale. The house is constructed of coursed sandstone and brick, faced with sandstone ashlar. It now stands as a ruin, but the outer walls remain largely intact, with much of the inner walls also surviving. The building is two storeys high and features nine bays on its east and north elevations. The west elevation has two projecting four-bay wings and a deeply recessed central portion. The south elevation comprises eleven bays, built close to the church, with the central seven bays recessed. The most impressive facade is the nine-bay east elevation, which incorporates banded rustication, an entablature with a modillion cornice, and a parapet. The central three bays are topped by a pediment displaying an armorial achievement, supported by four Corinthian half columns. There are two further bays on each side, featuring giant Corinthian pilasters. Angle pavilions have coupled pilasters, doorcases with segmental pediments on brackets, and windows with moulded surrounds. The north front is plainer, with the central three bays projecting. It features giant Corinthian pilasters between bays and windows with moulded surrounds. A central doorway is distinguished by a Gibbs surround and pediment. The west front is similar to the north, but with pilasters only at the angles, and a modillion cornice with plain aprons below instead of a complete entablature. Fragmentary remains of 18th-century plasterwork by Artari and Varsalli are present in the front hall, on the north front. Some interior walls made of coursed sandstone may be remnants of a 17th-century house previously on the site. Extensive brick vaulted cellars exist. The interior was dismantled around 1920, and some rooms are now preserved in the Philadelphia Museum in America. The Hall is also designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument.