Blencow Hall

Blencow Hall is an impressive 15th century tower and hall complex with the hall forming the central wing and an L-shaped tower at either end. The southern tower has a wing extending to the rear (west) and there is an enclosed courtyard area created by this. The hall is run as a luxury venue, and is clearly visible from the public road running adjacent.

In 1333, Adam de Blencow first appears on record, and during a career lasting several decades, he became a wealthy landowner associated with the barons of Greystoke, having served in the armies of Edward III in France. The descendants of Adam stayed at Great Blencow, but at some point in the 15th century they decided to found a new home a short distance to the west, and it is this which developed into Blencow Hall. The first building to be erected was the north tower, a rectangular building of three storeys, with a winding stair in a slightly projecting wing. Adjacent to this, and broadly contemporary, was the hall block, the front wall of which was moved backwards about 2 metres in around 1590, when a new doorway was put on with a datestone and the initials HB for Henry Blencow. He later added the south tower and rear serving wing to the reworked building.

At an unknown date, the south tower suffered a profound failing, and a great crack appeared in the centre of the front. Although it is traditionally said to have happened as the result of bombardment during the Civil War, this remains unconfirmed, and the south wall tilts away as if subsiding. During restoration works, the decision was made to utilise this gap as an architectural feature, with windows and balconies in the gap.

Blencowe Hall website