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© Mr John Hogg
IoE Number:
238671
Location:
MATFEN HALL,
MATFEN, CASTLE MORPETH, NORTHUMBERLAND
Photographer:
Mr John Hogg
Date Photographed:
20 July 2006
Date listed:
27 August 1952
Date of last amendment:
27 August 1952
Grade
II*
The Images of England website consists of images of listed buildings based on the statutory list as it was in 2001 and does not incorporate subsequent amendments to the list. For the statutory list and information on the current listed status of individual buildings please go to The National Heritage List for England.
MATFEN MATFEN
NZ 07 SW
14/187 Matfen Hall
27.8.52
GV II*
Country house. 1828-30 by Rickman, completed by Sir Edward Blackett for himself.
Ashlar with Lakeland slate roof. Jacobethan style externally. Symmetrical
main block with large irregular ranges around 2 courtyards on the west side.
South front: Main block, 2 storeys plus attics; 5 bays with each bay breaking
forward from wall face. Centre and outer bays have 2-storey canted bay windows;
all windows are mullioned-and-transomed with roll-moulded surrounds, and each
bay has parapet with pierced diamond-shaped panels; shaped gables over outer
bays. Similar detail to 3-bay section recessed on left. Gabled roof with many
tall, octagonal corniced stacks.
Entrance front (North): Main block 3 storeys, 7 bays. Projecting central
porch tower; Tudor-arched doorway with Blackett shield and motto above and an
elaborate canted oriel window on 1st floor. Projecting on right a symmetrical
6-bay service wing with 3-storey outer bays and centre with mullion-and-transom
crosses on ground floor and gabled half-dormers above. Beyond this the stable
court with 4 Tudor-arched carriage entries.
Interior: very large, full-height Gothic hall with 2 tiers of pointed arches
along south side, lst-floor windows with Geometric tracery on north and east
sides and a huge Geometric window with stained glass,on west side; Gothic oak
staircase with castellated newels; hammer-beam roof. Drawing room has white
marble fireplace by Chantrey with female figures in the jambs and shells in the
frieze. Former library has early C17 fireplace with terms, and overmantel with
strapwork and demi-figures. In west wing a late C17 staircase with twisted
balusters; also a very slender cantilevered spiral stair with sweeping smooth
soffit.
Now used as a Cheshire Home.