Acton Hall (Felton)
NU 185024 Acton Hall - supposed remains of bastle. (1)
A survey of circa 1585 mentions that the old bastle was ruinous or ruined. (2)
The wall forming the south west gable end of Acton Hall, NU 18490242, although much renovated, appears to be considerably older than the remainder of the building, and is 1.5m thick at ground level, suggesting that it may represent the remains of a bastle. It incorporates an old chimney breast, but there are no other features by which it can be dated. See photographs. (3)
The present Acton Hall has a five-bay two-storeyed main block of early 18th century date, with three-bay extension to the east of early 19th century date. However, the exterior of the west gable end of the house shows the outline of a lower gable that clearly predates the early 18th century phase, built of rubble masonry and with a much lower eaves line. This early block has been extended to the rear, again in rubble and then this rear extension heightened in squared stone, probably at the same time as the main block was remodelled.
It is difficult to date this earlier fabric, which appears to be confined to the one gable end (no other part of the house shows pre-18th century features and most of the walls are of no great thickness). In view of there being at least two phases of development before the early 18th century remodelling, it is likely that at least the first phase represents a defensible building of around 1600, or earlier, but this cannot be proven. (4)
The main block of the house was built in about 1730 and incorporates 17th century or earlier fabric. It was extended to the east in the early 19th century. (5)
Listed by Cathcart King and by Dodds. (6a-b)
A survey of circa 1585 mentions that the old bastle was ruinous or ruined. (2)
The wall forming the south west gable end of Acton Hall, NU 18490242, although much renovated, appears to be considerably older than the remainder of the building, and is 1.5m thick at ground level, suggesting that it may represent the remains of a bastle. It incorporates an old chimney breast, but there are no other features by which it can be dated. See photographs. (3)
The present Acton Hall has a five-bay two-storeyed main block of early 18th century date, with three-bay extension to the east of early 19th century date. However, the exterior of the west gable end of the house shows the outline of a lower gable that clearly predates the early 18th century phase, built of rubble masonry and with a much lower eaves line. This early block has been extended to the rear, again in rubble and then this rear extension heightened in squared stone, probably at the same time as the main block was remodelled.
It is difficult to date this earlier fabric, which appears to be confined to the one gable end (no other part of the house shows pre-18th century features and most of the walls are of no great thickness). In view of there being at least two phases of development before the early 18th century remodelling, it is likely that at least the first phase represents a defensible building of around 1600, or earlier, but this cannot be proven. (4)
The main block of the house was built in about 1730 and incorporates 17th century or earlier fabric. It was extended to the east in the early 19th century. (5)
Listed by Cathcart King and by Dodds. (6a-b)
N4340
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; D Smith
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