Acorn Bank House

Acorn Bank House is a large house situated in Temple Sowerby, dating back to at least the 16th century, with earlier origins potentially linked to the Knights Templar and Hospitaller. A deep chamfered plinth to the north-west corner may be from this earlier period. The house was taken over by the Crown at the Dissolution and acquired by the Dalston family in 1544. The pre-18th century fabric is constructed of coursed, roughly squared blocks, while the remainder is of ashlar. All roofs are covered with graduated slate, featuring corniced stone end and mid chimneys.

The west elevation, a two-storey section, displays late 16th-century detail. This elevation features a door with a false four-centred head, flanked by three central bays with a three-light mullioned window above and its accompanying mullioned window below. Wings project at each end, each with single two-light mullioned windows on both floors.

Internally, a spiral staircase is enclosed by timber and plaster, and three original fireplaces remain. A 1656 datestone is visible on the west stair wing at the rear of the main house. Venetian windows in this wing show part-rusticated exteriors with Doric columns internally. The stairs include a cut string with turned balusters, a later moulded handrail, and retained dog gates. Original 17th-century heraldic glass is also present. A central rear wing may be older, incorporating part of a newel stair.

The mid-18th century saw remodelling and extension, including the addition of a rusticated east gable wall. The symmetrical, three-storey, nine-bay front features a second-floor band and moulded eaves. The central door is topped by a segmental pediment with a shouldered architrave, and the sash windows have glazing bars and architraves. Two-storey, hipped wings flank the main house, incorporating trompe l'oeil windows.

The kitchen and hall contain large, segment-headed fireplaces dating to the 17th century. A small blocked door in the kitchen once led to a newel stair. The dining room is fully panelled with vine-leaf and Greek-key decoration, featuring an Adam fireplace and overmantel. Other rooms retain original 17th and 18th century panelling, fireplaces, and cornices. An elaborately carved early 17th-century overmantel with Dalston heraldry was moved from the hall to a first-floor bedroom in the late 20th century. Most original doors remain, some within shouldered doorcases. The east stair wing, constructed in the mid-18th century, includes a single Venetian window; internally, paired Ionic columns are positioned at the head of the later stairs, with an Italianate ceiling featuring decorative panels. Both stairs have pedimented doorcases on each landing.