More information : (SD 36260512) Lydiate Hall (NR) (remains of) (1)
Lydiate Hall was originally a quadrangular building enclosing a
small court, but the eastern range of buildings said to have been
the oldest part and probably built by Lawrence Ireland near the end
of the 15th century, was destroyed about 1780. The other three
sides still remain but the house is empty and dismantled and is
rapidly falling into decay.
To the south of the hall in an open field stands the ruined chapel
called "Lydiate Abbey", dedicated to St Catherine, which was
probably built before 1486. Plan. (2-3)
Comparing the plan with the remains of the house as it stands today,
the Little Chamber, Dining Room, Great Hall, passage, Buttery,
Kitchen, Servants Hall, Brewhouse and Bakehouse and their
counterparts on the first floor are standing. The Porch has
completely collapsed and the remainder has disappeared. The building
is in a poor state of repair and a major part of the first floor
has either fallen down or is about to do so.
Immediately to the west of the hall is a slight depression running
down towards the western wall which may be the remains of the moat,
but it is not possible to recognise it as such due to the large
amount of rubbish lying around. In the field to the east of the hall
are numerous depressions but none can be connected with any accuracy
as being part of a moat.
Modern buildings have been added to the hall on the north side.
(4)
Fifteenth and sixteenth century ruined remains of Lydiate Hall, fast
decaying and in a dangerous condition, listed grade 2*. Little
remains of the timber framed great hall besides the stone fireplace.
(5)
Excavation and survey carried out on the ruins of Lydiate Hall in 1981-2 failed to locate any evidence to back up it's mention in a C15 document except for a series of postholes and a drain. All the architectural evidence recovered suggests the present remains are no earlier than the mid C16. Dendrochronological samples support this date. Full report and documentary account. (6)(7)
Probable moat identified by survey-earthwork and documentary evidence. (8)
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