The Ruin, Mowbray Point

The Ruin at Mowbray Point is a folly and banqueting house built around 1750 by Mr. Wood for William Aislabie. It is constructed from ashlar, tufa, and rubblestone and consists of one storey with five bays. The central three bays project forward under a pediment. The central doorway features a pointed arch, flanked by pointed-arched openings, all adorned with voussoirs. The pediment has a moulded cornice made of ashlar and tufa. The outer bays contain rectangular openings and show remnants of wide rubble walls on their outer sides.

The rear elevation may be a slightly later addition designed to resemble a ruined Roman Bath, possibly attributed to Robert Adam. This section has three bays with tall round-arched openings, the central one being the tallest and semicircular in shape, topped with a half dome roof that has three roundels. The outer bays are tunnel vaulted, featuring round-headed niches on each side and lunette niches above them.

Inside, the front part of the building retains remnants of ogee-headed niches with wooden architraves. At the time of the last survey, the structure was in a derelict state. For historical context, see Fishers Hall, Hackfall. The site is also noted in the North Yorkshire Historic Gardens Register as Hackfall, Grade I.