Biddlestone Hall is a strange place. A few here may know of the church at Biddlestone - that in itself is very unusual. The church was created by remodeling a Peel Tower which left a fortified basement with a church on the upper floor. The church however, is not what this is about..
Biddlestone Hall once belonged to the Selby family. The Selbys lived at Biddlestone for 700 years. The hall was built in around 1796 by Thomas Selby. It was later adapted by John Dobson in 1820.
The hall remained with the Selby family into the 1900s and was used as a convalescence home in World War II. It lay empty after World War II and was demolished in 1957.
It is said to have been the model for Osbaldistone Hall in Walter Scott's novel 'Rob Roy'.
So, an unusual thread..
I didn't explore the church and the hall was demolished in 1957. I went underground!
All that remains of the hall now is the odd lump of rubble and a gorgeous stone tiled floor beside the church. You can't demolish a cellar
OK a few pics. I've grabbed a few oldies from the net to give an idea of the hall. The first image shows the hall just before demolition. Look closely and there are trees growing on parts of the roof.
N12719BiddlestoneHall by Craig David, on Flickr
The next old image shows the hall as it was. The structure to the right is the church which still stands today.
lh_northumberland_biddlestonehall_fs_2 by Craig David, on Flickr
OK now almost the same view today (but at night!)
The site is surrounded by a managed forest. You're just into the Cheviot Foothills here. It's a pretty location.
IMGP3415 by Craig David, on Flickr
Underground then.
Now - obviously I won't discuss how you do it but needless to say it's tricky..
The first of 3 chambers. This is a small one to the left and has stone shelves. I guess they stored pickles and preserves in these places??
IMGP3412 by Craig David, on Flickr
The next chamber going clockwise.
This has no shelves, nothing. Just a plain old chamber with a vaulted roof. I couldn't help but think it would make an awesome music room!
IMGP3410 by Craig David, on Flickr
There's a small corridor links to all the chambers. This is looking at the corridor from the final chamber.
The stonework is stunning. The brackets from the long gone wooden doors are long and hand made by a blacksmith.
IMGP3409 by Craig David, on Flickr
This is the only writing I could find. Must say I was rushed due to erm... security at this site (you have no idea. You really don't - I was freaking out..)
IMGP3408 by Craig David, on Flickr
The final chamber has stone shelves both sides.
It was strange down in the cellars - very warm and yet it was -4c outside. A surreal feeling.
IMGP3406 by Craig David, on Flickr
Other side of the 3rd chamber.
IMGP3405 by Craig David, on Flickr
So, finally ticked that off my list after 8 years!
This is a tricky site and it's not obvious why. I won't say why in the thread.
Hope that was of a little interest to folk
Biddlestone Hall once belonged to the Selby family. The Selbys lived at Biddlestone for 700 years. The hall was built in around 1796 by Thomas Selby. It was later adapted by John Dobson in 1820.
The hall remained with the Selby family into the 1900s and was used as a convalescence home in World War II. It lay empty after World War II and was demolished in 1957.
It is said to have been the model for Osbaldistone Hall in Walter Scott's novel 'Rob Roy'.
So, an unusual thread..
I didn't explore the church and the hall was demolished in 1957. I went underground!
All that remains of the hall now is the odd lump of rubble and a gorgeous stone tiled floor beside the church. You can't demolish a cellar
OK a few pics. I've grabbed a few oldies from the net to give an idea of the hall. The first image shows the hall just before demolition. Look closely and there are trees growing on parts of the roof.
N12719BiddlestoneHall by Craig David, on Flickr
The next old image shows the hall as it was. The structure to the right is the church which still stands today.
lh_northumberland_biddlestonehall_fs_2 by Craig David, on Flickr
OK now almost the same view today (but at night!)
The site is surrounded by a managed forest. You're just into the Cheviot Foothills here. It's a pretty location.
IMGP3415 by Craig David, on Flickr
Underground then.
Now - obviously I won't discuss how you do it but needless to say it's tricky..
The first of 3 chambers. This is a small one to the left and has stone shelves. I guess they stored pickles and preserves in these places??
IMGP3412 by Craig David, on Flickr
The next chamber going clockwise.
This has no shelves, nothing. Just a plain old chamber with a vaulted roof. I couldn't help but think it would make an awesome music room!
IMGP3410 by Craig David, on Flickr
There's a small corridor links to all the chambers. This is looking at the corridor from the final chamber.
The stonework is stunning. The brackets from the long gone wooden doors are long and hand made by a blacksmith.
IMGP3409 by Craig David, on Flickr
This is the only writing I could find. Must say I was rushed due to erm... security at this site (you have no idea. You really don't - I was freaking out..)
IMGP3408 by Craig David, on Flickr
The final chamber has stone shelves both sides.
It was strange down in the cellars - very warm and yet it was -4c outside. A surreal feeling.
IMGP3406 by Craig David, on Flickr
Other side of the 3rd chamber.
IMGP3405 by Craig David, on Flickr
So, finally ticked that off my list after 8 years!
This is a tricky site and it's not obvious why. I won't say why in the thread.
Hope that was of a little interest to folk