Esless Hall

Esless Hall is a large house dating from the 17th century, with later additions and alterations. The main part of the house is a three-and-a-half-storey single bay, with a lower bay of probable later date set back to the west, and a lower wing projecting to the northeast. An early 19th century extension links the lower ranges to form an angle, with a late 19th century block joining the lower west wing to the south.

The main range is timber-framed, with some wattle and daub infill panels and brickwork; much of the brickwork has been painted to imitate the original timber frame. It has a steep slate roof with a coped gable on the left side, and brick end and rear wall stacks. The front door is within a reeded architrave and a segmental arch with a keystone, featuring round-arched glazed panels. Windows are primarily 2-light casements on each floor, and a similar window is located in a timber-framed dormer. The upper windows are divided into small panes. A gable-end return on the right highlights a later reconstruction, revealing that the principal beams over the ground and first floors were originally internal, with visible stop-chamfered spine beams and run-out stops, along with slots for joists. A lower wing to the rear is timber-framed with some brick repair work, with 2-light casement windows, a gabled dormer in the roof, and a canted bay window in the gable end. An angled extension beyond has a tall, 8-pane sash window. The lower west range is largely hidden by later additions, but its exposed western gable is timber-framed with brick nogging. A two-storey extension to the southwest is built of brick, also painted to imitate timber framing, and features 3-light casement windows. Wooden canopy hoods supported by brackets shade the windows throughout, with scalloped bargeboards detailing the gables and dormers. A small yard is enclosed by single-storey outbuildings that adjoin this extension.

The internal layout mainly reflects a mid-19th century remodelling, creating a separate, T-shaped hallway with moulded plaster arches marking the junctions. Moulded plaster cornices are found in the principal rooms of the east range. Notable original features include panelled internal doors, boarded floors, and a staircase in the angled rear extension with plain balusters and a banded circular newel.