Hart Hall

Hart Hall

A farmhouse with a complex building history reflecting serial reconstruction. Originally constructed as a 17th-century longhouse with a reset datestone dated 1684. The low end was rebuilt as a kitchen and back kitchen in 1768, with this work dated on the lintel of the cross-passage door bearing the initials A & A C (Andrew and Anne Cook). The upper end was rebuilt in 1797, dated on the keystone of a blind doorway with initials JC, AC (John and Ann Cooke).

The building is constructed in herringbone-tooled coursed sandstone, with the later stonework being of particularly fine quality. The lower part has a pantiled roof, whilst the main house carries a graduated greenslate roof. The structure features stone stacks, ridges, gable copings and kneelers throughout. The plan is linear.

The main entrance front consists of a downhouse of 2 storeys (raised from 1½ storeys, probably in the early 19th century) with 3 irregular bays and an added outhouse bay to the left. A cross-passage door at the right has 5 panels with a glazed top, set in alternate-block flush jambs with a dated lintel. To the left is a modern window in a chamfered opening, probably once containing stone mullions. A stable-type door to the back kitchen sits further left, with a reset datestone initialled PC above. The outhouse is accessed through a picket gate entrance. Two 16-pane sashes light the first floor. A large ridge stack and small chimney at the eaves on the left provide ventilation.

The main house rises 2 storeys taller than the downhouse, presenting 3 bays in symmetrical arrangement. It stands on a raised plinth with chamfered alternating-block quoins on the front elevation only. A central blind doorway features finely-tooled quoined jambs and false voussoirs in an extended lintel with a dated keystone. A first-floor band breaks forward over the keystone, bearing initials J.C. Flanking this are 3-light transomed Yorkshire sashes with glazing bars in plain raised surrounds. At first-floor level to the right is a similar window, whilst at first-floor left is a new 30-pane sash and a blank central window panel, all contained within raised, keyed surrounds with slightly-projecting cills. Corniced and banded end stacks with curved kneelers complete the composition.

The right return elevation is largely blank except for a small attic window in a blocked loading opening. The left return, serving as the outhouse, contains stable and loading doors. The rear elevation of the main house displays 2 stone-mullioned windows on each floor: 3-light windows below and 2-light windows above. The downhouse rear is blank apart from a cross-passage door in a plain opening at the left and a few small windows, of which 2 are insertions; the masonry at the right shows considerable alteration.

The interior contains exceptional joinery and fittings. The cross-passage, which retains original fabric on its right wall, features a chamfered doorway leading into the main house. Throughout this part, the woodwork is of good quality, with doors of 4 fielded panels, panelled window shutters, architraves and dado panelling.

In the parlour stands a chimneypiece with guilloche and fret frieze and cornice, topped by a shaped panel. Flanking round-headed panelled cupboards with fluted pilasters and archivolts with shaped keys sit on either side. The right-hand cupboard has a domed head and shaped shelves.

The forehouse features a firebeam with a deep moulded and dentilled cornice and panels above. Panelled cupboards flank the fireplace within an alcove. Joists in this part of the house are finished with quarter-round moulding. The kitchen has a chamfered plain fire beam and a boarded cupboard on the right; at the left is a cupboard with 17th-century-type small panels. The back kitchen contains a late 18th-century stone fireplace with an old reckon.

The roof structure was not seen at the time of survey, but is reported to have principal rafters formed from re-used cruck blades, possibly salvaged from the 1684 house.

Hart Hall represents a very good example of serial rebuilding, whereby a dales longhouse was converted into spacious living quarters whilst providing separate farm buildings.