Capheaton Hall. Photo by Harry Rowland.

(NZ 03908047) Capheaton Hall. Castle (site of). (1)

A fortalice is mentioned in 1415, and described as a fair castle in 1538. (2)

It was moated, and had a drawbridge. The present house was built, a little to the east, in 1668. (3)

There are no visible remains of the 'castle' (probably a tower), and its site is in some doubt. The present owner states that traditionally it stood south of the Hall (position published), whereas Hodgson and later writers record it as being to the west. No clarification is obtained by consultation of available estate records and plans. The Hall itself is not outstanding. See photographs. (4)

Grade II* Capheaton Hall
1668 by Robert Trollope of Newcastle. Very interesting Baroque. Two storeys. Ashlar. South front has rusticated giant pilasters, dividing five bays of 2-light stone-mullioned sash windows, centre doorway with exuberant carved columns and a curly open pediment, the windows framed by carved convex moulding. New north front added late 18th century by William Newton, with centre pediment and Tuscan porch in much plainer style than earlier work. Interesting interior (see Pevsner). (5)

First mention in 1415. New house built 1668. In 1779 noted the fortalice had a moat and drawbridge. (6)

Capheaton Hall. In 1667 Robert Trollope commissioned by Sir John Swinburne to build a new house to replace old castle - consciously domestic with no pretence to fortification, had an impact on subsequent building activity in the region. The new house was to be built 'neere unto the ground where the old building or castle is now standing'. The castle provided building
material. Foundation stone laid in March 1668. Today the east, west and south facades retain much of Trollope's work. North facade altered; two wings added either side of north front in mid-18th century. The north front rebuilt. Curved pediment over south door may be from elsewhere on the house. Original Italian roof replaced. Two gateposts from the curtain wall opposite south entrance were moved to the village. Walls to south courtyard removed and lawns and parkland created - possibly by Capability Brown [NZ 08 SW 28]. Capheaton represents an important advance in northern architecture, interpreting a style prevalent 20 years earlier in southern England, with strong local tradition. (7)

Grade I listed building. (8)

A watching brief was carried out in 2008 during internal alterations on the ground floor of the east wing. Several features were also recorded that had been previously exposed. No unexpected features were discovered although developments relating to the kitchen fireplace indicated it had been altered since its original construction. (9)

The remodelling of Capheaton Hall has been attributed to William Newton and although he did carry out the building of the new north front and the heightening of the wings the architect seems to have been John Tasker (c.1738-1816). Newton's initial scheme seems to have been dropped in favour of one by John Tasker, which was then executed by Newton. Tasker kept the front designed by Robert Trollope much the same, but suggested the enreance should be moved to the north front and the rooms rearranged. Drawings by Tasker and Newton survive in the Northumberland Record Office. (10)

Additional information. (11a)

The tower had a moat and drawbridge at that time. A beacon was lit on the roof to warn of sea raiders, and the local gentry often met here to organise retailatory sorties. This may be the reason why the Charltons led the Croziers here in 1543 to fire both the village and tower. The tower was repairable. Capheaton Hall was commissioned in 1668 to replace the tower. Listed by Cathcart King and by Dodds. (11b-c)