Dearnley Old Hall
| Dearnley Old Hall | |
|---|---|
Dearnley Old Hall in 2014 | |
Location within Greater Manchester | |
| General information | |
| Location | New Road, Dearnley, Littleborough, Greater Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°38′20″N 2°07′09″W / 53.63882°N 2.11923°W |
| Year built | Early to mid-17th century (probable) |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | Dearnley Old Hall |
| Designated | 2 January 1967 |
| Reference no. | 1309691 |
Dearnley Old Hall is a Grade II* listed building on New Road in Dearnley, near Littleborough, within the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. Probably dating from the early to mid‑17th century, it is an example of local vernacular architecture and was historically associated with the rural hamlet of Dearnley, part of the ancient township of Wuerdle and Wardle in the historic county of Lancashire. The building is now in use as a private residence.
History
The hall probably dates from the early to mid-17th century,[1] reflecting the vernacular architecture of the period. It was historically associated with the rural hamlet of Dearnley, which formed part of the ancient township of Wuerdle and Wardle in the historic county of Lancashire.[2]
The hall first appears on historic maps in 1851, accompanied by several outbuildings which were subsequently demolished.[3]
On 2 January 1967, Dearnley Old Hall was designated a Grade II* listed building.[4]
The hall remains a private residence. It has been adapted over time, including 19th-century additions and modern refurbishments, but retains its historic character. The property sits within landscaped gardens and has been subject to archaeological evaluation during recent planning applications.[3]
Architecture
Dearnley Old Hall is constructed of rendered stone with a graduated stone slate roof. The building follows a three-unit, two-storey plan, with a 19th-century parallel range added to the rear.[4]
The exterior features a projecting plinth and paired entrance doors set within chamfered surrounds beneath flat-arched lintels. The windows are notable for their double-chamfered mullions, arranged in groups of four, five, or six lights, with hood moulds that extend over the doorways. The gables are coped with kneelers, and the roofline includes brick-rebuilt ridge and gable chimney stacks.[1]
Interior
Internally, the hall retains significant historic features such as a timber-framed crosswall at the lower end of the house-part, three Tudor-arched doorways, chamfered beams, and a boxed-in bressummer beam, indicative of medieval building traditions persisting into the 17th century.[4]
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Greater Manchester
- Listed buildings in Littleborough, Greater Manchester
References
- ^ a b "Dearnley Old Hall". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ Farrer, William; Brownbill, J (1911). "Townships: Wuerdle and Wardle". A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5. London: British History Online. p. 222–225. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ a b Templeton, Anne (January 2020). Dearnley Old Hall, Dearnley, Rochdale, Greater Manchester: Archaeological Evaluation Report (PDF) (Report). Oxford Archaeology. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ a b c Historic England. "Dearnley Old Hall (Grade II*) (1309691)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 November 2025.