Seaton Delaval Hall. Photo by Northumberland County Council.

The Hall, Seaton Delaval, Grade I.
Country house, 1718-29 by Vanbrugh for Admiral George Delaval. Central square main block, with angle turrets and flanking square stair towers. Symmetrical stable and kitchen blocks on east and west linked to main block by arcaded gallery. Palladian plan, Baroque style. West wing damaged by fire in 1752, restored 1814-15 by John Dobson; main block damaged by fire in 1822 and remains an empty shell. (1)

Seaton Delaval was owned by the de la Val family from the early 12th century. In 1628 Sir Ralph Delaval (1622-91) inherited and in 1660 was created a baronet. His eldest son, also Sir Ralph, died in 1696 without a mail heir and his second son, Sir John Delaval inherited. Sir John was obliged to sell the estate to his cousin, Admiral George Delaval, who from 1718 began building a new house at Seaton Delaval, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726), but died in 1723. His nephew, Captain Francis Delaval (1692-1752), inherited Seaton Delaval, having already inherited Ford Castle from his mother in 1711. He married Rhoda Apreece, heiress to Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire. The building of Seaton Delaval was completed in 1728. A fire in the hall in 1822 rendered the main block uninhabitable. During both the First and Second World Wars the Hall was requisitioned. Restoration of the Hall has taken place since 1950. The Hall and the estate continue (2000) in private ownership. (2)

On 17 December 2009 Seaton Delaval Hall came into National Trust ownership. (3)

The hall has been detailed in a design and access statament prepared by The National Trust. The use of the hall in World War 1 as military accommodation is noted, as well as in World War 2 for prisoners of war until 1948. Following these 20th century damaging activities, as well as the earlier 19th century fire, the first major programme of stonework repairs and reroofing took place from 1950 onwards. These repairs included the central block, as well as (unspecified) improvements to the east and west wings, the introduction of electricity and central heating. (4)

A series of test pits excavated in the grounds of the Hall in 2011/12 revealed information relating to the construction of the courtyard and landscaping that tooko place on the north frontage. Three revealed significant depths of deposits of building debris, rubble and sandstone chips showing that the ground level in front of the hall has been artificially raised. Previous courtyard surfaces were also located together with layers of made ground showing the courtyard is significantly higher than its previous level. (5)

Geophysical survey in 2011 appears to have detected the partial remains of the stone wall foundations of the former east wing of the Hall, as shown on early Ordnance Survey maps. The survey may also have detected remains of smaller rectilinear structures between the central block and stone privy, although these are on a different alignment to the existing buildings. (6)(7)

A Heritage Statement was produced by the National Trust for additional surface water drainage at Seaton Delaval Hall. (8)

A Conservation Plan was prepared in 2014 and revised in 2017 which gives an overview of Seaton Delaval Hall's historical development, and descriptions of the multiple heritage assets that make up the property. There is an assessment of its cultural significance and a discussion of the key issues with policies to guide its future use, alterations and management. (9)

Possible remains of the demolished East Wing were noted during a watching brief in 2013. A narrow trench was cut on the south of the East Wing of the Hall revealing in-situ masonry. (10)

Seaton Delaval Hall was built in 1718-29 by Sir John Vanbrugh. (11a)

Seaton Delaval Hall. A large country house of outstanding qualities now open to the public. (11b)

Additional reference (11c)

NZ 3224 7654. Seaton Delaval Hall (NAT)
NZ 3282 7649. Mausoleum (NAT) (11d)