[NZ 054518] Black Hedley. An ancient village now a single house. (1)

The old mansion of the family of Hopper of Black Hedley was reconstructed and added to, about the year 1750 by Humphrey Hopper and provided with outbuildings adorned with life size stone figures. (2)

Centred NZ 05385182. In the pasture fields to the south and south west of the farmhouse called Black Hedley there are slight traces of depopulation. The area is disturbed and in one place there is the steading of a rectangular building.
Local enquiries revealed no significant field names. The reason for depopulation was not ascertained.
NZ 05475193. The farmhouse of Black Hedley has no visible architectural features earlier than mid-18th century date. Datestones in the outbuildings are inscribed 'H.H.1750'.
The building is in good condition. (3)

Surveyed at 1/2500. (4)

[NZ 05385182] Village (L.B.) (site of). (5)

Published survey (25 inch) correct. Condition unchanged. (6)

Black Hedley was a member of the lordship of Bolbec, and a settlement in the township of Shotley. In 1262 held by four free tenants; in 1318 it was described as a hamlet; and in 1570 as a single tenement within Shotley. Armstrong's map of 1769 shows the hall and two other buildings in the centre of a park. The hall-farm and the cottage remain. Ridge and furrow defines the southern edge of the settlement, only one small rectangular earthwork is clear. (7)

Black Hedley deserted medieval village. (8)