Townley Hall

Detached three-bay single-storey with attic gate lodge, built c. 1820. T-plan, single-storey flat-roofed and lean-to extensions to east and north, c. 1980. Pitched slate roofs, clay ridge tiles, brick chimneystack with paired diagonally set corbelled flues on rectangular base, projecting eaves with painted timber soffits and exposed rafter ends, cast-iron gutters, circular cast-iron downpipes; corrugated-iron roof to east extension. Random rubble stone walling, antae and continuous sill course to south; painted smooth rendered walling to extensions. Square-headed window openings, block-and-start brick jambs with flat-arched gauged brick lintels, limestone sills, painted timber casement windows. Square-headed door opening to south, block-and-start brick jambs with flat-arched gauged brick lintels, painted timber vertically-sheeted door, limestone threshold. Set back from and facing away from road at northern entrance to Townley Hall estate, with rubble masonry boundary wall to east, wrought-iron entrance gate to north, estate gates having cut limestone piers and pyramidal capstones to north-east.

This simple yet attractive and well proportioned gate lodge, known as Church Lodge, is a fine representative example of demesne architecture and forms a point of architectural interest on a well trafficked country road. It maintains its original site context at the rear entrance to Townley Hall estate and the use of a T-plan with its juxtaposition of gable fronts adds to the interest and overall appearance of the building.