Description

BELSAY HARNHAM
NZ 08 SE

4/61 Harnham Hall
27.8.52

GV II*

House. Probably C16 or early C17, altered late C17 and refenestrated C18.
Random rubble, pebbledashed on front; stone slate roof.

Probably originally a hearth-passage plan, altered in later C17 to central
staircase plan with downhouse. Tower attached to rear.

2 storeys, 4 windows. To left a late C16 or early C17 doorway with Tudor-arched
surround and multi-moulded floating cornice. Later C17 central doorway has
Tudor-arched lintel, broad chamfered surround and hoodmould with small nailhead
decoration. 12-pane sash windows in raised surrounds. (Vestiges of mullioned
windows in quite different positions said to be visible beneath pebbledash).
Steeply-pitched gabled roof with flat coping and kneelers; corniced ridge stack
to right of earlier doorway. Similar external end stacks.

The tower to rear is built daringly, directly over edge of cliff. It is said
to be medieval but the walls are only c. 2 ft. thick and it appears to have no
features earlier than C17. Vaulted basement with 2 storeys over. On the ground
floor a 3-light mullioned window with multi-moulded cornice. On 1st floor a
blocked mullioned-and-transomed cross window with similar cornice and a 12-pane
sash in similar surround. Plain parapet with higher turret in north-east corner.

Interior: Open-well early C18 staircase has turned balusters with square knops
and clustered shafts at the newels. In the drawing room a large high-relief
plaster roundel with a dragon in a circle of oak leaves; this is the crest of
the Babingtons who owned the house from c.1660-1677; also large C17 fireplace
with segmental lintel, into which an early C18 stone fireplace with pulvinated
frieze has been set; flanking early C18 cupboards. 1st floor room in tower has
a fine early C18 corner cupboard with arched panels, scrolled pedimented top
and shaped shelves. Many 2-panel doors.

Hodgson. History of Northumberland Vol. 1 part 2.

Listing NGR: NZ0737880474

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17546306

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

• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)