Burn Hall, County Durham facts for kids
Burn Hall is a grand old country house found in County Durham, England. It's a very special building, officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's considered historically or architecturally important and is protected to keep it safe for the future.
Contents
History of Burn Hall
Burn Hall has a long and interesting past, changing hands and looks over the centuries.
Early Beginnings and Redesign
Around the year 1812, a man named Bryan John Salvin bought an old manor house. This house was very old, dating all the way back to the 13th century, and was known as New Burnhall. Later, between 1821 and 1834, a famous architect named Ignatius Bonomi completely redesigned the house. He gave it a new look, blending two popular styles:
- Gothic style: This style often includes pointed arches, tall windows, and decorative stone work, like old castles or cathedrals.
- Neoclassical style: This style takes inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman buildings, with features like columns and balanced designs.
After this redesign, the house became known simply as Burn Hall.
From Family Home to School
Burn Hall stayed with the Salvin family for many years. It was their home until Marmaduke Henry Salvin passed away in 1924. After that, a group called the Saint Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill bought the property. They turned the grand house into a boys' school.
A New Chapter for Burn Hall
The school at Burn Hall eventually closed its doors to full-time students in 1995. This happened because the costs of running the school and training future priests became too high.
However, Burn Hall didn't stay empty for long! The main house underwent a big restoration project. The areas behind the house were also redeveloped by a company called Jane Darbyshire Associates. This amazing work was recognized in 1998 when it won a special architectural award from the Civic Trust. This award celebrates excellent projects that improve buildings and public spaces.
