Vernacular Buildings in and Around Craven and the Forest of Bowland

Talk by Kevin Illingworth

In a very comprehensive review of architectural features peculiar to our locality, Kevin Illingworth began his talk with images of some outstanding survivals of medieval halls.

Originally timber framed, many of these were later encased in stone. Examples include Fold Farm at Kettlewell, Smithills Hall near Bolton, Little Mitton Hall near Whalley and Ordsall Hall near Salford. Jettied porches, originally a timber feature, were commonly recreated in stone in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Ogee-headed windows are a distinctive feature of sixteenth and seventeenth century stonework. Winterburn; Hammerton Hall,  Slaidburn and the Manor House at Threshfield. The latter has an interesting and distinctive wheel window, a feature that can also be seen at Little Riddlesden Hall.

By the end of the seventeenth century some yeoman farmers were wealthy enough to ‘gentrify’ their houses. Grand columns and other decorative details bear testimony to the aspirations of the farmhouses’ owners.

Kevin illustrated many other architectural features such as carved door heads, decorated drip moulds, arcaded chimney stacks and weather walls. His talk offered the opportunity for Field Society
members to look more closely at our built heritage and take pleasure in its distinctiveness.