| Martholme | |
|
Location of Martholme in Lancashire
|
|
| Location: | Great Harwood, Lancashire |
| Coordinates: | |
| Listed Building – Grade I | |
Martholme is a Medieval manor house in Great Harwood, Lancashire, England. It has been designated a Grade I listed building by English Heritage.
Contents |
Martholme lies close to the banks of the River Calder and about 1.25 miles (2.01 km) from the town of Great Harwood. In the 13th century, the house belonged to the de Fitton family.[1] It was passed through marriage to the Hesketh family. Parts of the current building date from Medieval times.[2] Additions and alterations took place in 1561 and 1607.[1] The 16th century work on the house was completed by Thomas Hesketh (d. 1588).[3] He added an east wing and a gatehouse.[1] Later work was during the time of Robert Hesketh (d. 1620).[3]
Martholme was originally surrounded by a moat, of which there are still traces.[3] It is constructed of sandstone rubble, now rendered, and it has slate roofs.[2] Its plan is T-shaped.
The 16th-century gatehouse is about 75 feet (23 m) south of the house.[3] It too is built of sandstone, with slate roofs.[4] It is rectangular and measures approximately 43 feet 9 inches (13.34 m) by 20 feet (6.1 m).[3] The entrance is a round stone archway.[1] The building has three bays and is on two storeys.[4]
English Heritage designated the house a Grade I listed building on 11 July 1966.[2] The Grade I designation—the highest of the three grades—is for buildings "of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important".[5] The gatehouse has received a separate Grade II* designation.[4]