Photograph - Mono (Document ID: 102009)
Exterior and interior shots of Holdsworth House, Ovenden, West Yorkshire.
Author: John Y. Stapleton
Date: 1950
Location: Ovenden
Format: Photograph - Mono
Document ID: 102009
Library ID: 50, 51
p1: Exterior of Holdsworth House.
p2: Interior showing modern fireplace in old style. The initial 'H' and the date '1938' are carved in the wood.
These photographs were amongst those published between June 1949 and July 1950 in 'Notable Houses of West Yorkshire', a
weekly series of articles in 'The Yorkshire Observer'. The photographs were taken by the author, John Y. Stapleton, during the above period.
Originally built in the 15th century, the timber framed Holdsworth House was rebuilt in 1633 for Abraham Brigg to an F-plan structure. It was bought in 1657 by Henry Wadsworth and remained with the Wadsworth family until the 19th century. Considerable interior renovation took place in the 1940s. A cross of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem appears on one of the gables.
Holdsworth House is now a hotel and restaurant [2003] and is a Grade II* Listed Building. The following is from Calderdale Council's Listed Building description:
Dated 1633. Good substantial stone house in traditional style. Stone roof. South front has 2 gables with 2 storeyed gabled porch between, all with finials. Similar cross wing to east. Long mullioned windows mostly with transomes and stepped to west. Arched and moulded inner and outer doorways, latter with dated lintel. Simple east return with some original windows. Rendered return to west with 2 mullioned windows and long single storey wing extending to north. This has gable to north end and includes foot gateway to enclosed yard with slightly decorated arched lintel and carriage archway with lintel inscribed W over ID and dated 1680. Modern extensions at rear. Coped wall enclosing forecourt, partly altered. Pair of C17 gate-piers with ball finial and engaged Doric columns to outer face. (Nos 1 to 4 (consec), barn to rear of Nos 1 to 4, Holdsworth Farmhouse, barn and cottage, Holdsworth House with wall, gateway to forecourt, gazebo and barn with Laurel Bank Nos 1 to 3 (consec) and barn form an important village group).
