Archer'S Hall

Archer’s Hall is a farmhouse, dated 1681, located in Sedbergh, Cumbria. It has undergone alterations over time and is constructed of mixed random rubble with a graduated slate roof. The building is arranged in a ‘T’ shape, comprising a single-depth three-unit range. The south and centre bays form the main house, while the north bay appears to have served a service function. A porch is offset to the left of centre on the east front, with a service wing extending from the rear of the second bay.

The exterior is two storeys high, with a 2:1 window arrangement. The two-storey gabled porch has a slightly-arched outer doorway with a moulded surround and a lintel with a hoodmould, now containing a 20th-century inner door. A double-chamfered mullioned window with a cavetto mullion and hoodmould is located on the first floor, matching the style of other windows. The north side of the porch features a slanted ground-floor peephole and a single-light window above. The flanking windows on both floors are 19th-century casements. A 2-light mullioned window similar to that in the porch is found in the first floor of the third bay. A gable chimney is situated to the left, and a ridge chimney is located at the junction of the second and third bays. The rear of the third bay has only a wide doorway with a timber lintel. The rear wing displays a square-headed doorway with an old studded double-layered door and a wrought-iron knocker inscribed "R HI 1681"; a 2-light double-chamfered mullioned window is located to the right, with two 3-light windows above. The west gable of the wing has two small attic windows with diamond-leaded glazing, and a square datestone lettered "H / R I / 1681", referencing Richard and Isabella Hebblethwaite.

The interior of the housepart in the second bay contains a 19th-century ceiling beam where a former firehood bressumer would have been. Below this is a carved spice cupboard (likely relocated), bearing the inscription "1681 / H / R I". A straight 19th-century staircase is enclosed on three sides at the first floor by 17th-century muntin-and-rail panelled partitions. A similarly panelled door is located on the north side of the staircase, with another door of muntin-and-plank form behind it. The chamber above the housepart features similar muntin-and-rail panelling creating a screen to a former smokehood.

Archer’s Hall forms a group with the associated barn to the north, located on the opposite side of the lane, and with a small barn to the north.