Levens Hall

SD 48 NE LEVENS A6 (off West side)

1/28 Levens Hall (Formerly listed as 21.11.52. Levens Hall with Old Stables and entrance gate piers)

G.V. I

House and attached service wings forming courtyard to rear. Mainly C16 for the Bellingham family with earlier (probably C14) core. Extensively remodelled in late C17 for Colonel James Graham (his initials and dates in 1690s on lead rainwater heads) some later alterations and additions for Mary Andover (her initials and dates in the 1780s on rainwater heads); early C19 tower added to rear, attributed to Webster of Kendal. Limestone rubble walls, part rendered, with sandstone dressings; graduated greenslate roof with stone and lead ridges, stone copings and kneelers and massive chimneys, earlier ones with tapered cylindrical stacks. 2 storeys plus basements and attics. Hall has cross-wings and later additions to North and South. 4 bays: irregular: 3rd from left battlemented tower, rest gabled. Stone mullioned-and-transomed windows, mostly under hoodmoulds, decorative leaded glazing of various dates and styles. Recessed central door in eared surround approached by flight of stone steps. 3 lead rainwater pipes: central and left with decorative straps and heads with initials and dates IGD 1692 and 1691 respectively, right with initials and date MA 1796. Return elevation to East has full height canted bay window to right and square gabled bay to left. The lead rainwater pipes to all sides are of various dates and include a number with gilded rainwater heads decorated with crowns and initials MA and dates 1787 and 1788 on service wing, and one with initials and date I & DG 1700 to courtyard. Service wing surmounted by square domed clock-tower dated 1788 with gilded ball finial. Interior has a wealth of C16 and later plasterwork and panelling, for details see R.C.H.M. pp 151-155. The gardens, which were laid out in the late C17 by Monsieur Beamont for Col. Graham are of National Importance and form a vital setting for the house.

Listing NGR: SD4953285091