Page "Gawsworth Old Hall" Paragraph 5

Gawsworth Old Hall is a timber-framed house in the Cheshire black-and-white tradition, roofed in Kerridge sandstone.

It has been estimated that the weight of the roof may be in excess of.

The house is in mainly in two storeys.

In the north range, and on the south front, the timber frame has been encased in brick, with timbering applied to its outer surface.

Internally the roof trusses have been retained.

Its plan is that of a U-shape with its open side facing the west, towards what was the courtyard.

The main entrance is in the north range, leading into the Entrance Hall.

To the west of this is the Library, and to the east, the Morning Room.

The Entrance Hall leads into the longest range, the eastern range, consisting of the Long Hall, at the north end, and the Dining Room.

The Long Hall was originally the Great Hall, and was open to the roof, but is now divided into two floors.

To the east of the range extend the kitchen and the chapel.

The Dining Room leads into a room now known as the Green Room, which is canted ten degrees to the east.

The was also originally open to the roof, but was not a great hall.

De Figueiredo and Treuherz are of the opinion that this was originally a larger, separate structure, probably a barn, and incorporated into the main building when the east range was built.

Little of the south range remains.

It originally contained domestic apartments, which formerly extended to join the now-demolished west range.

In the angle between the Dining Room and what remains of the south range is the Drawing Room.

The special feature of this room is a canted bay window on the north side, extending upwards for three storeys.

The only dated item in the building is the Fitton coat of arms on the north front, which was carved by Richard Rany in 1570.