Hesleyside Hall, Country house near Bellingham, England
Hesleyside Hall is a three-story stone mansion near Bellingham featuring nine bays on its south front with decorated windows and stone heraldic beasts. Inside, an imperial staircase with cast-iron balusters runs through the center, connecting rooms decorated across different periods.
Construction began in 1719 on the site of a 14th-century tower house, with that earlier stone core remaining beneath the new structure. Architect William Newton redesigned the eastern front in 1796, creating a visible expansion of the original plan.
The Spur of the Charlton, a 16th-century artifact displayed here, signaled food shortages within the household. It reflects how residents communicated practical concerns through objects.
The estate offers lodging in shepherd's huts scattered across the grounds, providing a quiet overnight experience. The gardens were designed by a noted 18th-century landscape architect and are pleasant for walking through.
Four crowned stone beasts perch atop the cornice, marking the visual boundary between Newton's 1796 addition and the earlier building section. These figures, striking when viewed close up, were carefully positioned to define this architectural junction.
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