Belswardyne Hall

SJ 60 SW; 5/29

CRESSAGE C.P., Belswardyne Hall

GV

II*

Manor house, now farmhouse. Circa 1540, re-modelled late C18 with extensive additions of c.1890. Red brick (English bond) and timber frame to original part with red brick to later additions, plain tile roofs. Originally an L-plan with cross-wing to south-west projecting to south-east; late C18 staircase turret in angle between and prominent additions of c.1890 to north-east and rear. Two storeys and attics with floor bands, cellars; south-east elevation: 2:1:5 windows, all late C19 wooden mullion and transom windows except glazing bar sash to staircase turret, gauged heads (second and fourth windows from left on first floor of hall range blind and painted in imitation); gables to hall range and staircase turret linked by continuous coped stone parapet; prominent lateral stacks to left return of cross-wing have blue brick diaper patterns and three attached rebated shafts of star section (one of those to left replaced by C19 shaft); inserted between is a full-height gable (c.1890) with Classical-style entrance porch; stack to back wall of hall range also has three shafts of star section with others in imitation to late C19 additions.

INTERIOR: oak-panelled room to front of cross-wing (small rectangular panels with applied Ionic reeded pilasters) has chamfered stone fireplace with incised armorial shields to left and right; also in same room a very fine late C16 plaster ceiling having a variety of heraldic devices and monograms, said to be by the same craftsmen who worked at Plaish, Morville, Upton Cressett and Wilderhope [note also the stylistic similarities to the plasterwork at Abbey House, Buildwas and Old Hall, Hughley (q.v. under Buildwas C.P. and Hughley C.P.)]; panelling in other rooms either C19 or brought from elsewhere, good C18 open well staircase with elegant turned balusters. The use of brickwork at Belswardyne Hall is thought to be amongst the earliest in the county and the house merits further study. B.o.E., p.72.

Listing NGR: SJ6027803283