Description

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 30/07/2019

NZ285W
1761/4/14

Bedlington
Hartford Hall Estate
The Hall
Hartford Hall

(formerly listed as Hartford Hall, HARTFORD ROAD, WANSBECK, previously listed as Hartford House)

18.10.49

GV II*
Country house, subdivided into apartments 2000-2004. c.1807 by William Stokoe, for William Burdon, altered c.1875 for Augustus Edward Burdon. Tooled ashlar with service wings of tooled-and-rnargined stone, meat store wood and wrought iron. Lakeland slate roof except for lead dome.

Rectangular block with service wings on east flanking narrow yard. North (entrance) front three storeys, 2+2+2 bays. Plinth, first floor band, second floor moulded cornice, sill bands to lower floors. Pedimented projecting centre with 1875 porch and porte-cochere with grouped piers at angles; porch has panelled double doors with oversight and three bay returns with pilasters and plate-glass sash windows. Similar windows to main elevation, those to lower floors with cornices on moulded brackets. Moulded eaves cornice; blocking course with heavy gadrooned vases at angles; left projecting flat-roofed two storey link to two storey five bay kitchen wing with twelve-pane sashes below six-pane casements in flat-topped half dormers. Single storey three bay part with renewed sashes on far left. South front shows similar fenestration and detail except that centre of main block is a full-height three window bow with central French window in architrave, and dome of c.1875; all windows curved-on plan. Some ground-floor windows have external blind cases.

To left, late C19 single storey four bay games room extension. Set back to right two storey service wing in two four bay sections; left part with ground floor sill band and eaves cornice; plainer right part, set further back, has re-set 1773 sundial. To rear of wing attached meat store with openwork ornamental panels, rounded corners and flat roof.

INTERIOR largely c1875. Throughout this house retains most of its original doors and window shutters. Entrance hall and corridors have parquet flooring and open-well closed-string stair with turned balusters. Rich plaster cornices; painted ceiling in lounge; late C19 stained and painted glass in porch (the four seasons, the elements etc.) and on stair. Former drawing room has ornate plaster ceiling with shallow dome and ornate frieze, cornice and original painted decoration. Former library has fitted mahogany bookcases with glazed doors, fitted mahogany bookshelves, mahogany fire surround and overmantle with mirror. Former dining room has Ionic columns, panelling and an eighteenth century style fireplace. Service rooms and bedrooms retain other features including one original bath. Cellars with segmental vaults, wine bins dated 1830 and thirteen different types of mason's mark.

Historical note: William Burdon was a noted liberal philosopher and author, Augustus Edward a high-ranking freemason (cf. memorial window in St. Cuthbert's Church, Bedlington).

Mid C20 brick link range between east end of service wing and stable block (q.v.) is not of special interest.

Listing NGR: NZ2448580126

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17545799

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)