Stone House, Stanhope

Gatehouse Classification - Pele Tower

Has been described as a Possible Bastle-house

There are major building remains

NameStone House, Stanhope
Alternative Names
Medieval CountyCounty Palatinate of Durham
Historic CountryDurham
Modern AuthorityDurham
1974 AuthorityCounty Durham
Civil ParishStanhope

A stone house is mentioned in a terrier of 1608, but it appears to have been converted to cottages before the 17th century. In appearance it is a Medieval pele tower, with the small windows strongly fortified with iron bars in the upper storey, and C17 mullioned windows in the ground floor. The abode of the Medieval rectors of Stanhope (1957 NY93NE58 OS). Its general proportions and externally visible features align it with a group of fine, late 17th century houses centred on the Bollihope Valley (Ryder, 1994). (Durham SMR)

House and wing. Circa 1600. Thinly-rendered rubble sandstone and millstone grit with large irregular quoins and ashlar dressings; stone-flagged roof with stone gable copings. 2½ storeys, 4 bays and 2-storey, one-bay left wing. Ledged and boarded door at right in Tudor-arched surround with wide, broach- stopped chamfers; irregular-block jambs to door and to windows with wide- chamfered stone mullions and surrounds. Ground floor has two 3-light windows and one single; single lights above, irregularly-spaced and of varying sizes; 2 small windows at eaves have iron bars and rails. Left extension has C20 door and late C19 sashes under flat stone lintels. Ashlar-corniced left end chimney on main house; massive external stack on extension. Roll-moulded right gable coping. Rear 2-storey, one-bay catslide extension. Interior not inspected. (Listed Building Report)

Alleged to be a former rectory, perhaps a pele, but the walls are thin. (PastScape ref. King 1983)

Gatehouse Comments

The late date and rectangular form are not those of a pele tower in the more usual sense. The house may have originated as a fine quality bastle, although the ground floor seems to have been residential from the start.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

This is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY99743927
Latitude54.74839
Longitude-2.00555
Eastings399740
Northings539270
Length13m
Width6m
Dimensions CommentFrom air photo
VaultNo
Vault Comment
Orientation125
Orientation Comment
Wall Thickness 1
Wall Thickness 2
Map
HolderMedieval rectors of Stanhope
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles and Tower Houses of County Durham(Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 57
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum(London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 139 (possible)
  • Egglestone, W.M., 1882, Stanhope and its Neighbourhoodp. 86

Journals

  • Ryder, P.F., 1994, 'Bastles in Weardale' The Bonny Moor Hen: The Journal of The Weardale Field Study SocietyNo. 7 p. 4
  • 1896, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne(ser2) Vol. 7 p. 263 (brief)