Smardale Hall And Adjoining Buildings

NY 70 NW WAITBY

5/82 Smardale Hall and 6.2.68 adjoining buildings II*

Buildings date from C15/C16 centuries. Present Hall of coursed rubble has a tower at each corner, banded just below top. Graduated slate roof with stone chimneys; ball finials to conical tower roofs. 2 storeys, 6 bays. The majority of windows to both side elevations have 2, 3, or 4-lights in stucco surrounds; 2-light window in apex of south gable is only surviving example with stone mullion. All doors are C19/C20 insertions. Internally, large segmental arch to kitchen fireplace survives. Attached range of farm buildings once formed south range to Hall's original courtyard plan. Slobbered rubble walls with graduated slate roof. 2 storeys. Blocked doors and windows can be seen on both side elevations. Internally, the hay loft was once the Great Hall and some decorative plasterwork survives on the eastern wall. The relative thicknesses of their walls suggests that the south-east tower pre-dates the other 3 which may have been added for symmetry. A c1670 plan shows a C14 tower-house in the east wing; this was built by the Smerdales (ie pre 1388) and the rest of the house by the Warcops (ie pre 1580). See Carlisle record Office M.S. D/D&C/Machell III p.225. (From the 6 vols of notes towards a history of Cumberland & Westmorland by the Reverend Thomas Machell in the Dean & Chapter Library, Carlisle).

Listing NGR: NY7392008096