Bawdeswell - Bawdeswell Hall

Bawdeswell Hall

Bawdeswell Hall is a Dutch gabled building dating from 1683. Originally built by a Henry Eglington it is now owned by the Gurney family. Gurney's Bank was based in Norwich and connected through marriage to Barclays Bank of London with which it merged along with Backhouse's Bank of Darlington and several other Provincial banks in 1896 to form what is now Barclays Bank. Elizabeth Fry, the famous prison reformer, was born a Gurney and the portrait from which the image on the reverse of the £5 note is taken hangs on the main staircase in the hall.

Its Grade II listing says - House. 1683 according to gable tie-ends. Refurbished in 1861. Brick with plain tile and pantile roofs. Roughly E plan with west wing and porch of 1861. 2 storeys with attic. Facade of 9 bays of Victorian mullion and transom windows in some instances set into original openings. Single storey Victorian canted bays to projecting wings. Original platband with ovolo moulded lower edge. C19 dentil cornice and curvilinear gables - original to west gable of main block and east projecting wing. Several moulded chimney shafts in Tudor style. 2 original openings (one blocked) to east facade with skewback arches. Extensive later additions to rear. Initials CS on rainwater hoppers.