Littledean Hall
| Littledean Hall | |
| Gloucestershire | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SO67241309 |
| Location: | 51°48’56"N, 2°28’36"W |
| Village: | Littledean |
| History | |
| Built 1612 | |
| Country house | |
| Jacobean | |
| Information | |
Littledean Hall is a country house in the village of Littledean, Gloucestershire. It claims to be the oldest house in the United Kingdom which is still occupied. Saxon and Celtic remains have been uncovered in the cellars.[1]
Part of the building is designated as a site of special scientific interest as it is a proven breeding roost for the Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum).[2]
Architecture and history
Originally an Anglo-Saxon hall stood here, then a church; it was then converted to a Norman hall, complete with a crypt and undercroft.[3] Testing has shown that these remains date back to the 5th century.[3] However, when records began of the house in 1080, it had evolved into a substantial mediæval manor house which was eventually replaced with a Jacobean house in 1612.[3]
The hall has seven bedrooms, a coach house, a dining room, sitting and drawing rooms, a stable, living room and cellar.[4] The estate covers four acres.[4] The sweet chestnuts which line the driveway are at least 500 years old and the remains of a Roman road have been found underneath the drive itself.
In 2007 the building suffered damage after lightning struck nearby and in 2008 the owners of the hall were ordered to rebuild a section of wall they had knocked down.[5][6] The wall was deemed to be a Grade II listed building alongside the main hall.[6]
Dean Hall Coach House & Cellar SSSI
Dean Hall Coach House & Cellar (SO672130) has been declared a tiny biological 'Site of Special Scientific Interest', notified in 1988.[2] The coach house and cellar of the hall are home to Greater horseshoe bats, whose roosts are closely monitored by Natural England.[4] It is a significant breeding roost and its use has been recorded since 1986. Local reports indicated that bats may have used the building for over 75 years.[2]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Littledean Hall) |
References
- ↑ Leighton, Barry: 'Take a walk on the West's wacky side...; Discover some of the more' Western Daily Press 25 November 2002
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 SSSI listing and designation for Dean Hall Coach House & Cellar
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Rowland, Tom (August 24, 2002). "Saxons in the cellar". The Times: pp. 15.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "In need of love and attention; Run-down properties can be a bargain, but be prepared to put in hard sweat, and cash, to fully restore them". Mail on Sunday: pp. 41. September 15, 2002.
- ↑ "Thunderbolt and lightning...Very, very, frightening". The Gloucester Citizen: pp. 9. January 23, 2007.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "'Rebuild this wall'". The Gloucester Citizen: pp. 4. January 25, 2008.