AN Elizabethan manor house and its dovecote in Teesdale have been officially removed from English Heritage’s At Risk register, along with a nearby packhorse bridge.
However, other heritage assets – including a castle and prehistoric cup and ring stones – are still in danger of being lost forever.
Gainford Hall and the 17th century dovecote have been on the register for a number of years after historians raised concerns about their future.
But following substantial work by owner Raby Estates, both buildings have been saved. Gainford Hall, a large grade-I listed house, was built at the end of the reign of Elizabeth I for Revd John Cradock, vicar of Gainford.
But it had not seen any major restoration for more than 100 years. The estate said its restoration was a priority and the work included installing steel ties to the main walls and roof timbers, re-roofing the building, rebuilding and repairing the chimneys, repointing the entire building and putting in new leaded windows.
“In addition to the hall itself, we have also restored the dovecote to its former glory, securing the future of both for generations to come,” a Raby Estates spokesperson said.
The property has been on the rental market for £3,500 a month since October 2021.
Meanwhile, an ancient packhorse bridge at Headlam has also been taken of the At-Risk Register.
The bridge was suffering from a wide range of structural problems including tree growth and cracked and broken stonework. The bridge was repaired with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the now defunct Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership. The repairs included tree removal, rebuilding parts of the bridge and repointing.
English Heritage remains worried about other sites including the 14th century Ravensworth Castle and its water defence features, park wall and shrunken medieval village. Significant parts of the castle remains, including the gate tower are now at “immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric” . English Heritage says no solution has been agreed with the private landowner.
A late 18th century grotto and icehouse in Forcett Park, at the head of the lake, is eroding with stones becoming loose. Ringcairns and prehistoric carved rock on Barningham Moor, Cotherstone Moor and Lartington Moor need better protection, says English Heritage which adds that St Mary’s Church, in Rokeby, is in danger due to the theft of lead causing water to get in. The gateway to Mortham Tower, in Rokeby Park, is unstable and two Romano-British hut circles and three shielings on Holwick Scars are also listed, along with a Roman native settlement 160 metres north-west of Bleabeck Force, Holwick.
Concerns have also been expressed about Pike Law lead hushes and mines, in upper Teesdale, because of extensive animal burrowing.
Barnard Castle is on the list due to long-standing problems with the stability of the outer walls. Officials are worried about the enclosures and industrial heritage on Cockfield Fell, as well as St Mary’s Church, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, after the discovery of dry rot in the floor.
