North Lees Hall, Cattis Side, Hathersage, Derbyshire: Historical Summary & Timeline

TJC Heritage Ltd. was commissioned to produce a Statement of Heritage Significance for North Lees Hall to inform future conservation and alterations. The assessment included desk-based and archival research, a site visit including historic fabric assessment and measured survey of the outbuildings. The statement of significance has established the origins and historic development of North Lees Hall, its outbuildings, and agricultural buildings to the north. North Lees Hall is a late 16th century tower house with 19th century alterations and extensions. The house was restored in 1965 after an extensive period of dereliction which resulted in the loss of some original features in whole or part including extensive damage to the floors and plaster ceilings. Further alterations occurred throughout the 20th century with the conversion of part of the building to the farmhouse, and the division of the tower house into two flats, subsequently followed by it being brought back into a single dwelling with adjoining farmhouse. The building is of High Heritage significance as a result of its historic, archaeological and architectural interest derived from its age and integrity of historic fabric, alongside the careful reconstruction and conservation of previously damaged features. The building is also considered to hold a degree of artistic interest for its association with Charlotte Bronte and for its role as the inspiration for Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre. The outbuildings to the north-west of North Lees Hall are late 18th century in date and are a good example of a small set of outbuildings purpose built for the keeping of small farm animals. The buildings were sensitively restored after a phase of dereliction, the works for which included some rebuilding and the re-roofing of nearly all of the outbuildings. Despite this the layout and former use of the buildings remains legible, and the toilets retain part of their earlier decorative scheme. It is considered that the outbuildings are of high heritage significance within is primarily derived from their relationship to North Lees Hall from which the buildings draw historic, architectural and archaeological interest.