Listed Building record MDR4207 - North Lees Hall, Birley Lane, Hathersage
Type and Period (1)
- TOWER HOUSE (Elizabethan to 21st Century - 1575 AD? to 2050 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
North Lees Hall, Birley Lane, Hathersage, a late 16th century building.
'The Hall, which is in fair condition and unoccupied, is structurally consistent with a late 16th century date. The adjoining farmhouse is 19th century. See ground photographs.' (1)
'North Lees Hall is an interesting example of a tower house, uncommon in these parts. Mainly 16th century with later alterations it is possible that the core is earlier. A three-storey stone building on a basement with stone-mullioned windows and embattled parapet. Remains of elaborate plaster decoration (restored in the 1960's) and panelling in various rooms. Moulded string courses, stone stacks and transomed windows. A two-storey wing on the right is of ordinary domestic character. Listed building, Grade I. Associated with probable 17th century two-storey stone barns with stone slates and coped gables to the north of North Lees Hall.' (2)
'This building is now in good condition and in use as a hostel. See ground photographs.' (3)
'North Lees is an impressive, small, towering manor-house. The front belongs to the late 16th century but the four-storey tower to the rear is probably older. The elaborate plaster work in the main rooms was restored in 1965 and one room contains the date 1594. The house was occupied by Richard Fenton, a recusant, in 1580. The attached two-storey wing is later. North Lees was the "Marsh End" of "Moor House" mentioned in Jane Eyre.' (4)
Photographic record. (10)
From the National Heritage List for England:
'SK 28 SW PARISH OF OUTSEATS 2/78 29.9.51 North Lees Hall GV II*
Tower house with lower attached domestic range. Late C16, with some C19 refashioning, and restored in 1965. Coursed rubble gritstone, rising from a chamfered plinth, with quoins, embattled ashlar parapet with moulded merlons and formerly with a lead roof, now with an asphalt covering. Tower house incorporates a taller stair tower to north east corner, to which is attached a domestic two storey range to the north east. Tower House, south east elevation; three storeys and parapet above basement. Stacked 6-light recessed hollow chamfer mullioned and transomed windows, the one to the first floor beneath a hoodmould with stops, those to the ground and second floors beneath continuous dripmoulds. C20 casements, those to ground floor openings with diamond leaded lights to upper parts. Taller stair tower projects slightly to rear of main tower with single lights within chamfered surrounds to light staircase half-landings, North west elevation; projecting stack carried on corbels at height of first floor window heads, and a wide doorway to ground floor with deep chamfers to jambs and lintel. South west elevation has four 4-light hollow chamfer mullioned openings to north west end, and three 3-light hollow chamfer mullioned and transomed windows to south east, indicating a change in floor levels in the rear part of the tower. Full height stack projects between windows, now truncated at parapet level, but with base for diagonal stone chimneys. Domestic range adjoins the stair tower, and is possibly a later and lower rebuilding of an earlier range. Stone slated roof with intermediate and end stacks, and coped gables with moulded kneelers, Two storeys, three bays with advanced gabled range off-centre, to north east of doorway, which has a moulded surround with a plain planked door. , 3-light chamfer mullioned windows above doorways with casements. Former C19 3-light mullioned and transomed window to gabled range, now with lower part replaced by C20 joinery. C20 casement to opening with heavy lintel to north east end. Interior; the tower is served by an oak newel stair, and has moulded stone doorcases leading into the principal rooms, The ground and first floor rooms have moulded plaster ceilings which, together with the rest of the interior, were extensively restored in 1965, The ground floor plaster work is dated 1594, with a moulded frieze and a moulded soffit to the main spine beam, The first floor plaster work is more elaborate, with moulded ceiling panels, as well as a frieze, and spine beam soffit. Both ground and first floor rooms have moulded stone surrounds to the hearths and Tudor arched head, and carved chamfer stops to the jambs.
Listing NGR: SK2353483443.'
(11)
Sources/Archives (10)
- <1> SDR6437 Bibliographic reference: F1 RWE 06-FEB-62.
- <2> SDR5089 Bibliographic reference: DOE (HHR) Bakewell RD July 1963 44.
- <3> SDR6622 Bibliographic reference: F2 JB 29-SEP-65.
- <4> SDR12891 Bibliographic reference: Pevsner, N. 1979. The Buildings of England: Derbyshire. 2nd ed., revised. 291.
- <6> SDR17296 Bibliographic reference: Bunter, B. 1970. Cruck Buildings. 40.
- <7> SDR17297 Article in serial: Bemrose, W. 1868-1869. 'North Lees Hall, Derbyshire, and the family of Eyre, to whom it belonged', The Reliquary. Volume 9, pp 201-206.
- <8> SDR17300 Article in serial: HAS. 1914-18. Transactions of the Hunter Archaeological Society 1914. Volume 1. 263.
- <9> SDR17299 Index: NDAT. 1655. 1655.
- <10> SDR18971 Photograph: Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA). Slide Collection. 11318.1.
- <11> SDR19551 Listed Building File: Historic England. 2011. The National Heritage List for England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1109774?section=official-list-entry.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | SK 23534 83443 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | HATHERSAGE, DERBYSHIRE DALES, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Events/Activities (3)
- EDR838
- EDR1495
- EDR3823
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Jul 30 2025 10:35PM