Crackenthorpe Hall

NY 62 SE CRACKENTHORPE

6/59 Crackenthorpe Hall 6.2.68 G.V. II*

Large house now (1983) subdivided into 3. Rebuilt early C17, refronted c1685 by Hugh & Thomas Machell; south-west wing added in late C19. Rubble with rusticated quoins, pebble-dashed; C17 block has clear margins around openings. Graduated slate roofs of various heights with stone copings and kneelers; corniced stone end chimneys. C17 symmetrical 5-bay front of 2 storeys with attics; centre 3 bays project under pediment with dentil ornament. Original 'T'-shaped cast-iron knocker to studded door in architrave with rusticated frieze and pediment above. String-course runs below attic. Main 2-light windows are mullioned and transomed, with leaded panes, in architraves; attic windows are smaller and lack transoms. End wall has 2 windows to each floor; a C19 panel bearing the Machell arms is set between 2 Roman altars at 1st floor level. Rear elevation has sashes with glazing bars; stair wing projects on left. Internally, the C17 closed-string, dog-leg staircase survives; the balusters have a corkscrew twist, tapering towards the top. Ball finials and pendants to the square newels; deeply-moulded handrail. In the south-west corner of the main ground floor room is a reset fireplace recess constructed of C17/C18 panels with human, animal, and geometric carving. The (C19?) east fireplace in the same room bears a Latin inscription: LIGNA SUPER FOCO LARGE REPONENS DISSOLVE FRIGUS. At first floor level, the end room (formerly a dining room) is fully panelled, with a late C17 corniced fireplace; in the central room is an early C18 wooden fire-surround with fluted pilasters and egg and dart moulding. Some original panelled doors also survive. A pedimented datestone, L.M. 1663, has been reset in the east wall at the rear of the late C19 wing whose appearance is modelled on that of the C17 block. Internally, the detailing of the stairs and landing copies that of the C17 and is a good example of the high standard of workmanship applied throughout.

Listing NGR: NY6621521803