Serlby Hall

Serlby Hall is a large country house built between 1751 and 1777 for the 2nd Viscount Galway by James Paine. It was substantially remodelled in 1812 by Lindley and Woodhead, when the original wings were demolished, the central block extended by two bays on either side, and the attic raised. An early 20th-century east entrance wing was added later. The building is constructed of red brick with ashlar dressings, with a hipped slate roof and six rendered stacks.

The south front presents the main elevation, consisting of a basement plus two-and-a-half storeys across nine bays, with single-storey flanking wings. An ashlar pediment tops the slightly projecting central three bays, and a first-floor ashlar band runs across. The half-sunk, slightly projecting ashlar basement contains eight glazing bar sashes. The central doorway and portico features a flight of steps with single stone orbs at the corners of the second step, leading to a double half-glazed door with traceried overlight. This is flanked by single flat ashlar piers, single tall fixed lights with glazing bars and pilasters. The portico comprises two pairs of Tuscan columns supporting an entablature with wrought iron balustrade. Either side of the doorway are four glazing bar sashes with ashlar balustraded sills, ashlar jambs and architrave. The windows flanking the doorway are set in relieving rusticated ashlar arches. Above are nine glazing bar sashes. The central sash, with ashlar surround, is set in a brick relieving arch that rises above the attic window. Flanking this arch are single Ionic pilasters with fluted capitals, with further similar pilasters marking the extent of the projecting bays, all resting on the first-floor band and supporting the podium. The top floor has eight smaller glazing bar sashes, the central sash having an ashlar surround with slightly projecting hood supported on small ashlar brackets. To the right is a single-storey brick wing with ashlar cornice containing the chapel, set on a shallow plinth with three glazing bar sashes in relieving arches. To its right is a heightened, ashlar-coped brick wall with a horizontal fixed light sloping down to the garden wall. The left single-storey coursed rubble wing with ashlar cornice is similarly set on a shallow plinth with three glazing bar sashes.

The west front contains minor single and two-storey extensions. The north front, of two-and-a-half storeys and nine bays, has an ashlar cornice and chamfered projecting ashlar quoins with an ashlar pediment topping the slightly projecting central three bays. Similar quoins flank these bays. The three bays on either side each have a first-floor ashlar band. The basement corresponds to the south front but contains only five sashes. The central ground floor features an arched and recessed glazing bar sash window to Paine's design, with the ashlar arch supported on a single pair of Ionic columns flanked by further single attached Ionic half-pilasters with shaped bases. Either side are four glazing bar sashes with ashlar jambs and architrave. All ground floor windows have an ashlar balustraded sill. Above are nine glazing bar sashes, the central window under a flat head having ashlar jambs and architrave. The top floor contains nine smaller glazing bar sashes. Projecting from the left is the early 20th-century single-storey red brick entrance wing with ashlar cornice and chamfered projecting ashlar quoins. Its north front contains a Venetian window with balustraded sill, and the east front features the portico.

The interior includes a staircase hall with a cantilevered staircase of 1812 fitted with a wrought iron balustrade. The landing has Paine's screen of columns with decorated capitals. The dining room, on the north side, contains a plasterwork ceiling with paintings attributed to Zucchi, an inlaid and carved marble fireplace, and a doorcase with fluted Ionic half-columns. The 18th-century style wall decoration is early 20th-century work. The small drawing room features a coffered ceiling and marbled fireplace also to Paine's designs. The drawing room has a screen of fluted Corinthian columns, a fireplace with Bacchic carving removed from a house in Hanover Square, and a decorated plaster ceiling. The library contains early 19th-century bookcases. The chapel, remodelled in the early 20th century, contains oak panelling from Hodroyd Hall.