Melmerby Hall
| Melmerby Hall | |
| Cumberland | |
|---|---|
 Melmerby Hall | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NY611373 |
| Location: | 54°43’47"N, 2°36’18"W |
| Village: | Melmerby |
| History | |
| Built 14th century | |
| Country house | |
| Georgian | |
| Information | |
Melmerby Hall is an impressive country house at Melmerby in the valley of the River Eden in Cumberland. It is a Grade II listed building.[1]
The hall was begun as a defensive structure in the early 14th century. A petition received by Edward II between 1320 and 1326 reads:
John le Denum petitions the King that whereas he has a castle in Cumberland called Melmerby Tower, which could be kept by a dozen men at arms, he has kept it until now and has often been assailed by the Scots to their great loss, and John's lands are so devastated there and elsewhere that he can no longer bear the expense. He craves help in the form of wages or otherwise until times change, because all the country around would suffer great loss peril and loss if it were taken through lack of garrison.[2]
The hall, built from the local red sandstone, was extended in the 17th century and again in the 18th century in a Georgian style.
The hall today
The hall belongs to the Rowley Estates, as it has for four generations. Today it provides luxury accomodation for paying guests.
The hosue is set within its own extensive walled gardens. The 20-acre grounds include an archery lawn, walled vegetable gardens, a Victorian castle folly and wooded areas.
The Georgian Wing forms the main front elevation, and there is a Victorian ballroom. More intimate features inside include a priest hole and a large inglenook fireplace. There is a spacious conservatory, noew incorporating a breakfasting kitchen.
Outside links
References
- ↑ National Heritage List 1372279: Melmerby Hall
- ↑ Northern petitions illustrative of life in Berwick, Cumb. and Durham in the fourteenth century. Ed. C. M. Fraser (Surtees Society vol. 194, 1981)