Dodworth Hall Farm

Thornely Taylor Estate Office, Dodworth Green Road, Barnsley

Building

Roofed and walled permanent structures.

Asset type

Building

Age

Possibly 18th century, with 19th century additions.

Rarity

Includes a post-medieval threshing barn with excellent survival of original character.

Architectural and Artistic Interest

Substantial sandstone built threshing barn with excellent preservation of original character. The west elevation of the barn, visible from the from the road, has a large central threshing door, with ventilation slits and pitching holes to its north indicative of a hay loft, and broad door and pitching hole to the south suggestive of a cattle house. A later, although likely still 19th century, range abuts the barn towards the road; whilst evidently of stone built construction is marred by concrete render. There is a later 2-storey range on the far side of the threshing barn.

Group Value

Forms part of a wider group of assets associated with the former Dodworth Hall, including its lodge to the north, boundary walls and its former parkland to the east. Dodworth Hall was also associated with the Thornely family, who also owned the Grade II Listed Dodworth Grange to the north-west. Together with the well preserved setting provided by Dodworth Green, these form an associated and contemporary group which elevates their historical interest.

Historic Interest

Dodworth Hall was, by the turn of the 19th century, the seat of the Thornely family who were major landowners in the area. Its earlier history is uncertain although a building is shown on the site of the hall on Thomas Jeffreys' map of Yorkshire, 1767-70. The architect and builder of the hall, and the designer of the garden, are unknown. Dodworth Hall is shown on the 1837 Old Series Ordnance Survey map, comprising a square dwelling with three sided courtyard range to its west. Although the plan is not very detailed, some indication is given of gardens to the south of the hall, and a curving boundary to its east that could be a ha-ha. Further detail is provide by the 1855 Ordnance Survey map which illustrates Dodworth Hall as attached to the east of a courtyard of ancillary buildings, with a drive from the hall towards the north, with a lodge where it joined Dodworth Green. To the south-west of the courtyard ranges was a walled garden, of two parts, with looping walks and planting shown within gardens to the east and north of the hall, including a sundial. The gardens were bounded to their east by a ha-ha, with a large enclosed field beyond. By the production of the subsequent, more detailed, OS survey of 1893 scattered trees were shown across the field, whilst the hall and the courtyard ranges had been extended. The contents of the hall were put to auction in 1892 (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 17/09/1892), at which time the then Thornely Taylor family may have ceased use of the property as their primary residence. In 1919 the hall was turned over to a hostel by Thornely Taylor's for wounded soldiers and sailors (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 17.02.1919, 2), and a second sale of furnishings was advertised in 1923 (Penistone, Stocksbridge & Hoyland Express, 11/08/1923, 4). It may have been following the war that the hall was sold to the National Coal Board and later demolished. The site of Dodworth Hall derives historical interest from its association with the Thornely family, and the history of landownership in Dodworth more generally. At present, it has illustrative value in respect of the connection provided by its surviving buildings and gardens to the past residents of Dodworth Green.

Archaeological Interest

The barns have changed through time with evidence of alterations in the fabric likely to be of interest in understanding how Dodworth Hall developed over time.

Landmark Status

The threshing barn is a substantial structure and forms a prominent landmark at the southern entrance to the village.

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23 May 2023