Beesthorpe Hall And Attached Cottage

Beesthorpe Hall is a country house with an attached cottage, originally dating to the 17th century and significantly remodelled between 1770 and 1771. A right wing was added in 1809, and a left wing in 1815. The hall is constructed of brick and dressed stone, with stuccoed elevations, and has hipped and gabled plain tile and slate roofs. It has a plinth, bands delineating the first floor and eaves, coped parapets and gables featuring ball finials and urns, and three side wall and four ridge stacks. The main east front comprises a central three-storey block flanked by single-storey wings in a three/two/three/two/three bay arrangement. The central bay is recessed and features a pedimented Doric porch containing an eight-panelled door, flanked by two full-height sash windows. Further windows are arranged in a similar pattern within the wings. Above, there are seven sash windows, and above that, a pair of pedimented dormers with glazing bar casements, flanked by single sash windows. The attached cottage, to the right, is two storeys high with two bays, featuring sash windows on each floor and a 19th-century slated lean-to porch with a panelled door. The south front has four French windows with sash overlights. The rear elevation incorporates a recessed central bay, flanking wings, and a stair turret to the left. C20 lean-to additions are present on the rear. Inside, the central entrance hall boasts a cantilevered staircase with a landing, fretted strings, fluted newels, turned balusters, and a ramped scrolled handrail. A rear staircase features square newels and turned balusters. The drawing room retains a deep foliate cornice, possibly dating to the 17th century, and a 19th-century plaster ceiling. Other principal rooms have moulded chair rails and cornices, four 19th-century marble fireplaces, reeded doorcases, and panelled doors. Full-height timber panelling and moulded cornices are found in the main bedroom and dressing room. The interior also includes ten 18th-century two-panel doors and two plank doors. The roof is a principal rafter structure with tenoned collars and purlins. Outside stands a 19th-century lead water pump, encased in a 20th-century wooden case with a curved handle terminating in an acorn.