Blenkinsopp Hall

Has been described as a Possible Pele Tower

There are no visible remains

NameBlenkinsopp Hall
Alternative NamesBlenkinsop; Blenkensop; Blenkensopp; Dryburnhaugh
Historic CountryNorthumberland
Modern AuthorityNorthumberland
1974 AuthorityNorthumberland
Civil ParishGreenhead

Blenkinsopp Hall was a border fortalice, and in latter years, has had large additions made to it. The east tower was built in 1835 (Hodgson 1840).

Mrs Joicey, wife of the owner, Major Joicey stated that there are no remains of the old Tower in situ. The present structure consists of a large rectangular block, built of small, fashioned stones which may have come from the demolished tower. The north entrances and all drainpipes bear the date 1877. Just to the east of the main entrance, a very small window from the early building has been inserted into the wall. In the garden along the south-west face of the Hall, and near the south corner, are several fragments of carved stone, including a part of a decorated water spout. No other remains of an earlier building could be recognised in or around the present structure (F1 ASP 13-NOV-56). (PastScape)

Country house. c.1800 front range (possibly incorporating older core); rear additions and internal alterations of 1835 (possibly by John Dobson) and c.1877 (addition of parapets, porch and rebuilding of rear). Squared rubble front range with ashlar dressings; dressed and ashlar masonry on returns and rear; graduated green slate roofs and ashlar chimneys. Castellated style. (Listed Building Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Called vanished tower by King. There is no actual physical evidence of medieval building here. The name Blenkinsop Hall comes from the family of Blenkinsop of Blenkinsop Castle; the medieval name of the location was Dryburnhaugh. The fact Hodgson writes this was a border fortalice may suggest Hodgson had confabulated this Hall with Blenkinsop Castle which was called a fortalicium in the 1415 list. Certainly Hodgson cites no evidence to support his statement 'It was a border fortalice'. Hodgson's history starts in 1663. The Hall is in a park. Did this actually start as a hunting lodge in a park of the castle?

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY681641
Latitude54.9707298278809
Longitude-2.4988100528717
Eastings368180
Northings564120
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 345
  • Long, B., 1967, Castles of Northumberland (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) p. 71
  • Graham, Frank, 1976, The Castles of Northumberland (Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Frank Graham) p. 76
  • Hodgson, J., 1840, History of Northumberland (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) Part 2 Vol. 3 p. 133 online copy