Middlethorpe Hall

Middlethorpe Hall

Middlethorpe Hall is a historic house currently used as a hotel in Middlethorpe, York, North Yorkshire, England. It is a perfectly symmetrical red brick and stone house built in 1699 and since 2008 has been owned by The National Trust. In 1980 it was rescued from an undignified decade as a nightclub, having previously been a girls' boarding school^[1] and over the next 10 years its surrounding land was re-acquired so that it is now a green oasis located close to York Racecourse.

History

It is a perfect William and Mary country house built in c.1699–1701 of well-laid mellow red brick with limestone dressing and panelled interiors of fine joinery.^[1] It was built for Thomas Barlow, a prosperous master cutler who bought the Middlethorpe estate in 1698 as a bid to establish himself as a country gentleman.

Description

The house is quite close to the road which is unusual for its architectural standard. Like all Queen Anne houses, it is influenced indirectly by Sir Christopher Wren, especially Hampton Court Palace with a similar horizontal skyline and pattern of red brick, white sash windows and stone quoins and window surrounds. The north entrance front of seven bays and three storeys plus a basement is surrounded by a stone eagle, the Barlow family crest. The pedimented porch over the front door is an early 19th century addition and the curved railings and gates enclosing the forecourt added in 1983.

The south front, the main facade of the house, is surmounted by a raised stone parapet of three panels containing carved festoons and crowned by another stone eagle. It is more impressive than the north front because of the flaking wings added in the mid 18th century by Francis Barlow, High Sheriff of Yorkshire, 1734–36. The bays of these single storey additions are divided by pilasters with well carved composite capitals and are surmounted by a balustraded parapet.

The front door leads straight into the stone-flagged entrance hall, as in a medieval house. Beyond to the south is a carved oak staircase with fluted and foliated balusters, a York motif, standing on steps with scrolled panelled ends. The staircase is supported by a Corinthian column and may have been moved at some point. The floor is paved with black and white marble squares. There is a panelled drawing room leading to an enormous ballroom occupying the western of the two wings added c.1750. The dining room dates from the original period and has round head panels flanked by Ionic pilasters.

Restoration by previous owners

HHH improved and restored the grounds and outbuildings with hundreds of trees planted. A ha-ha and lake was added. A dilapidated late 17th century dovecote was restored; the kitchen garden replanted; stable buildings converted and extended for additional hotel accommodation. The splendid result is that Middlethorpe, which has variously been used as a girls boarding school and a night club, once again looks as it ought always: a handsomely appointed and beautifully furnished country house with excellent kitchens, a fine cellar, perfect service, and a green English garden.

Acquisition by The National Trust

Trustees of the National Trust completed the transfer deal in September 2008 by declaring the Hall together with two other properties inalienable.^[2] The gift had been under discussion for almost 30 years and in 1997 the National Trust accepted restrictive covenants over all three properties. The Hall and grounds was gifted the Trust by the directors of Historic House Hotels (HHH).^[1] The hall continues its present use as an hotel under the existing HHH management. Three National Trust directors joined the HHH board and all profits will go to Trust funds – to provide for the long-term care of the three houses.

Public access

It is envisaged that arrangements will be put in place for the gardens and grounds of the hall to be open to visitors, along with tours of the ground floor rooms. Members of the Trust are of course welcome as hotel guests as are members of the public.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Historic House Hotels - official website including history by Dr David Watkin December 1983". http://www.historichousehotels.com/. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "National Trust gifted Historic House Hotels - one of the most generous in charity’s history". http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-latest_news/w-news-trust-gifted_historic_house_hotels.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 

External links

• Details from listed building database (462798) . Images of England. English Heritage.

Coordinates: 53°55′50″N 1°05′24″W / 53.93060°N 1.08998°W / 53.93060; -1.08998