The Old Vicarage

The Old Vicarage is a vicarage, originally two houses, probably dating from around 1770, with a mid-19th century addition and a 20th-century conversion. It is constructed of coursed squared rubble with ashlar detailing, and has a graduated stone slate roof. The building is two storeys high, with an original three-bay section and a projecting bay added to the right. Chamfered quoins are a feature of the exterior.

The west front of the original section has a central round-headed window on each floor, with glazing bars and keyed stone surrounds. Flanking these are corniced Venetian windows; the ground floor windows have Tuscan columns with ashlar panels below, and a first-floor sill band. A panel below the central first-floor window bears the inscription “Edes Hasce Sacerdotales/ H.Tennant, A.M./Hodie Vicarius Extruxit/ AD MDCC_XII”. The fifth letter of the date has been erased, likely indicating a date of 1770. The projecting added bay to the right incorporates an inserted doorway.

The rear elevation of the original range features five windows to each floor, all sash windows with glazing bars set within architraves, with a first-floor sill band. The projecting added bay to the left has two similar windows to each floor and retains chamfered quoins. The right return presents the main facade of the 19th-century house, which has a glazed door within a recessed porch flanked by Tuscan columns with a cornice and entablature. Sash windows are positioned to the left at ground and first floor levels, and above the entrance, while an inserted window is located to the right.

Inside, a large 19th-century staircase hall is built against the right-hand window of the original house.

Henry Tennant served as Rector of Arncliffe from 1765 to 1779 and constructed the house shortly before his brother, John, built Chapel House, Kilnsey (1783) in a similar style. A reference by Whitaker (circa 1800) mentions "the shell of a handsome vicarage erected by the last incumbent", suggesting the house was either incomplete or unoccupied. The extension was likely built after 1835 by Canon Boyd.