Thornton Watlass Hall And Attached Stable Block

Thornton Watlass Hall is a large house with an attached stable block, dating back to the 16th century with a south front added in 1727 and wings to both sides, forming a roughly half-H shaped layout. The stable wing is set back to the right, primarily two storeys high and spanning seven bays. Bays 1 and 2, and bays 6 and 7 rise to three storeys, with gabled projections. A central half-glazed door is framed by an eared architrave with a keystone and cornice. Windows are primarily sashes with glazing bars, set within ashlar surrounds with keystones and cills; the first-floor centre window features a moulded architrave, while those in bays 3 and 5 lack keystones. Two dated rainwater heads are positioned between bays 2 and 3, and bays 5 and 6. A parapet runs along the central three bays, complemented by a small frieze and pediment. The gabled outer bays contain six-pane sashes in stone surrounds with keystones to the second floor. The rear of the main range features a two-light mullioned stairwindow. A gable end of the right rear wing has an external stack with blind 15th-century windows on the ground and first floors. The left return has ten bays, two storeys high, and a half-glazed door with overlight in bay 9. Windows are sashes with glazing bars in ashlar surrounds and cills. Bays 3 and 4 project forward, topped with a shaped gable. Stone finials adorn each side, and a large external stack is located between bays 9 and 10. A stone band incorporating a parapet and cornice runs along the top, with small triangular open pediments above bays 1 and 2, and bay 7. Stable wing windows include side-sliding sashes, sashes, and later casements. Notable features of the stable wing include a clock housed in a gabled dormer to the left of centre, complete with shaped kneelers, stone coping, an octagonal bellcote, and a finial. To the right of the clock, a side-sliding sash on the first floor is set within a large round-headed Gibbs surround. End and ridge stacks are present. The interior is predominantly from the early 18th century, but incorporates some early 17th-century panelling in the upstairs rooms. The staircase balusters, designed in an early 18th-century style, are believed to have been taken from West Tanfield Church. Carved panelling on the staircase is attributed to a mid-19th-century gamekeeper.