Description

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 20 May 2021 to remove superfluous source details and reformat the text to current standards

SE 0622-0722
16/147

SOWERBY BRIDGE
Norland
NORLAND TOWN ROAD (north side),
Lower Old Hall and Lower Old Hall Cottage

15.11.66
-
II*
House, rear wing now separate cottage. 1634 for George Taylor. Coursed squared stone, stone slate roof. T-shaped; two storeys, three gabled bays, right one with basement; central rear wing. Left bay set forward; two storey porch between right-hand bays. Chamfered plinth; double-chamfered mullion and transom windows; continuous moulded string. Left bay: a six-light window with king mullion to each floor, upper one having hoodmould with rounded terminals flanked by letters 'G' 'T'. Central bay: nine-light window with eight-light window under dripmould above, both with king mullions. Porch: moulded Tudor-arched doorway with lintel dated '1634' GET (George and Elizabeth Taylor) and with three wool sacks; flanking columns have kinked fluting and bases with lozenges and support entablature; above, a moulded pedestal and three-light window under dripmould flanked by gutter spouts; parapet gabled over window, (as at Fallingworth Hall (qv)); on first floor of left return a trefoil light and of right return a chamfered light; inside, stone benches and moulded Tudor-arched inner doorway.

Right bay: basement (possibly originally a wool shop) has steps down to Tudor arched doorway on left of three-light window; single-chamfered three-light ground floor window; above, a five-light window under hoodmould with heart stops and date '16' '34'. Gables have moulded coping and finials. Corniced stack to ridge of left bay and double one between right-hand bays. Rear: main range: plinth and string continued.

Left bay has a two-light window, right bay a two-light window to left of three-light window, now door, with a two-light and three-light window above. Right return: plinth and string continued. In gable of main range a small double-chamfered light to first floor. Wing, from left: an ogee-arched doorway; an inserted doorway; a six-light window (two mullions removed); a blocked inserted doorway. On first floor an inserted window; a gutter spout, and a five-light window (two mullions removed). Stack to right end. Attached barn on right; converted to house not of interest.

Interior: central house body: the main feature is the Tudor-arched moulded ashlar fireplace with Carolean baluster-like motifs under stylised heads to jambs, heavily-moulded cornice, frieze reading 'FEARE'GOD HONOUR THE KINGE', moulded cornice and elaborate plaster overmantel with royal arms and wording 'DIEU ET MON DRO IT 1635 TG E' flanked by caryatids under grotesque heads, cherubs and the arms of the Bishops of Cantebury and Earls of Derby. Also noteworthy are the five Tudor-arched and basket-arched chamfered doorways and two six-panel doors with linenfold panelling; the frieze on two walls with cherubs, pregnant women over lions' heads and pomegranates; and the stop-chamfered spine-beams and moulded joists. In the left-hand room (parlour) are a square-headed fireplace with deep moulded lintel, the Royal arms (initialled (CR'), the Derby arms and other motifs above it, and stop-chamfered moulded spine-beams and joists. The room behind this (service room) has stop-chamfered spine-beams and joists. Stone stair. In Lower Old Hall Cottage (the kitchen) a large chamfered Tudor-arched fireplace. On first floor (of Hall) a stop-chamfered doorway to rear wing (blocked) and two other doorways, into the front left room which has a small Tudor-arched moulded fireplace with plasterwork of pomegranate tree above, and into the central room which has a chamfered Tudor-arched fireplace. Roof timbers not visible except for base of purlins.

Listing NGR: SE0693122973

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17542264

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

• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)