Summary
A large eighteenth century house towards the north of the property - now the visitor centre.
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- INFORMATION CENTRE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
- CAFE (Late 18th C to Late 19th C - 1792 AD to 1900 AD)
Description
From Grainge, 1865
'In 1792, William, Lord Grantley, built a house and suitable offices in the centre of this wild region, for the accommodation of visitors. This house is generally the point where visitors start to survey the rocks.'
NB Linney, 1838 was sold by Linney himself, and by 'R.Wheatherhead, Brimham House'.
Advert at the end of Linney, 1838
Brimham Rocks.
R.Wheatherhead - Takes this opportunity of informing the numerous visitors to this romantic spot, that they can be accommodated during their visit with
TEA, COFFEE OR LUNCHEON
on the shortest notice.
Lemonade, Ginger Beer and Cigars always on hand.
Hay, Corn, and Good stabling for Horses.
A large and excellent TELESCOPE is provided for viewing the surrounding country, by which objects at a distance of forty or fifty miles can be discerned.
NB: The roads have been altered and much improved since last year.
Brimham House, March 18th, 1838
From NT VBS (1994)
'History:
The property of Brimham Rocks is situated on Brimham Moor above Nidderdale, 8 miles SW of Ripon.
Brimham House, also known as 'The Rocks House' is in the midst of the Brimham Rock formations. These are spectacular formations of millstone grit of the upper Carboniferous period; supposedly formed by wind erosion during the late glacial period.
Brimham was first mentioned in Domesday Book (1086) as Birnebaha which means 'tree in a clearing or burning'. In the Middle Ages the moor was given to Fountains Abbey, but hunting rights were preserved. After the Dissolution of Fountains Abbey in 1539 the land reverted to the Crown, and was granted to Sir Richard gresham. In 1780 Brimham House became part of the Grantley Hall estate.
Brimham House was built in 1792 for Lord Grantley. It served as a hunting lodge and as a house of pleasure where the 'sublime' landscape of rock formations could be admired. Set on the terrace above the main group of rocks it has become an important feature of the estate.
During the C19 Brimham Rocks became a popular tourist attraction. Its popularity has continued through the C20. This is indicated by the number of rock climbing routes recorded at the rocks. 60 are described in the guide 'Rock Climbing in Northern England'. The former pre-fab cafe is an earlier indication of the rock's popularity.
The National Trust restored the derelict Brimham House in the 1970s.
Architectural description: Built in 1792 for Lord Grantley as a hunting lodge and pleasure house to aid the admiration of the sublime scenery of Brimham Rocks. Extensive repairs were carried out in 1972, with C20 warden's House being added to the NW. Constructed of coursed gritstone with large gritstone quoins. The front, SE, elevation is rusticated by alternate ledging of the course, gritstone plinth and cornice, corbelled pediment to door. Two storeys, five window bays. Present windows are all arched with gritstone surrounds and gothick tracery. Before 1972 the arches had been blocked and lintels installed. Flag roof with coped gables and kneelers to copings. NE gable contains a blocked door to the first floor. There is a stair turret to the SW gable. Interior, ground floor was of two rooms, now a single room shop. Steps lead to a cellar below the SW room. First floor was of the same plan and is now a single room information centre. The two C18 fireplaces remain. C19 lean-to extension to rear (NW) roughly coursed gritstone with rough quoins and undressed window surrounds.'
References
- SNA67999 - Report: Solstice Heritage. 2018. Brimham Rock: Archaeological and Historical Landscape Survey.
- SZP10283 - Monograph: T Whellan. 1859. History and Topography of the City of York and the North Riding. 2.
- SZP15582 - Photograph - black and white: J P Walker. 01/02/1994. Brimham House, roof, with that of warden's house. 34.
- SZP17080 - Photograph - black and white: J P Walker. 01/02/1994. Brimham House NE gable. 32.
- SZP17081 - Photograph - black and white: J P Walker. 01/02/1994. Brimham House, with new house adjoining. 33.
- SZP18539 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1972. Brimham House during repair. 8.
- SZP188 - Monograph: W Grainge. 1865. The Tourist's Guide to Brimham Rocks. 2.
- SZP19975 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1972. Brimham House after repairs (modern loo under construction). 9.
- SZP2182 - Monograph: A F Hargrove. 1843. A Brief description of places of interest in the County of York within 26 miles of the City.
- SZP25703 - Photograph - black and white: J P Walker. 01/02/1994. Brimham House form the S. 29.
- SZP28001 - Photograph - black and white: J P Walker. 01/02/1994. Brimham House, detail of C18 1st floor fireplace, detail of fireplace. 37.
- SZP28292 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1972. Brimham Rocks house from S. 12.
- SZP2938 - Document: W Colt Hoare. 1800. The journeys of Sir Richard Colt Hoare 1793 - 1810.
- SZP29467 - Photograph - black and white: R R Ackernley. 01/01/1960. Brimham House from the E. 1.
- SZP29468 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1987. Brimham Rocks house, NE gable and outshot, with Warden's House. 14.
- SZP29701 - Photograph - black and white: J P Walker. 01/02/1994. Brimham House SE elevation. 30.
- SZP33004 - Photograph - black and white: R R Ackernley. 01/01/1960. Brimham House from SE (with vanished greenhouse and cafe). 3.
- SZP34328 - Photograph - black and white: R R Ackernley. 01/01/1960. Brimham House from the W. 2.
- SZP34329 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1987. Brimham Rocks house, Warden's House. 15.
- SZP34330 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1987. Brimham Rocks house, Warden's House and SW end of outshot. 16.
- SZP35629 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1987. Brimham Rocks house, interior of first floor room, SE. 17.
- SZP36164 - Photograph - black and white: J P Walker. 01/02/1994. Brimham House, detail of C18 1st floor fireplace, SW room. 35.
- SZP3661 - Monograph: W Thorpe. 1890. Illustrated Guide to Harrogate. 3.
- SZP37125 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1972. Brimham Rocks house from SE. 13.
- SZP3916 - Monograph: J Linney. 1838. An Historical and Descriptive account of Brimham Rocks intended as a guide to visitors..
- SZP39482 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1972. Brimham House, detail of stair tower.. 10.
- SZP39910 - Photograph - black and white: J P Walker. 01/02/1994. Main group of rocks, from beside the house. 28.
- SZP40868 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1972. Brimham House during repair. 7.
- SZP42159 - Photograph - black and white: J P Walker. 01/02/1994. Brimham House SE elevation, with outbuildings. 31.
- SZP43076 - Photograph - black and white: J P Walker. 01/02/1994. Brimham House, detail of C18 1st floor fireplace, detail of surround. 36.
- SZP4325 - Monograph: H Procter, W Vickers. 1839. History of Ripon..
- SZP46426 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1987. Brimham Rocks house, interior of first floor room, NW. 18.
- SZP5097 - Vernacular Building Survey: J P Walker. 1994. NT VBS Yorkshire - Survey 1140 - Brimham House.
- SZP5274 - Monograph: C Fothergill. 1805. Diary for 1805. 142.
- SZP5377 - Monograph: T Langdale. 1822. A topographical Dictionary of York.
- SZP5726 - Monograph: J Bigland. 1812. The Beauties of England and Wales. 16.
- SZP6146 - Monograph: W Thorpe. 1886. Guide to Harrogate.
- SZP6831 - Monograph: T Allen. 1832. A New and Complete History of the County of York. 6.
- SZP6868 - Monograph: W Grainge. 1863. Nidderdale or an Historical, Topographical and Descriptive Sketch of the Valley of the Nidd.
- SZP7298 - Monograph: T Langdale. 1826. The Tourists Companion.
- SZP7319 - Monograph: W S Banks. 1866. Walks in Yorkshire.
- SZP7323 - Monograph: T Langdale. 1833. Tourist's Companion.
- SZP874 - Monograph: Richard Wetherhead. 1855. A Descriptive Account of Brimham Rocks. 6.
- SZP8991 - Monograph: E Hargrove. 1798. "History of Knaresborough, with Harrogate". 4.
- SZP9401 - Monograph: E Hargrove. 1809. History of Knaresborough. 6.
- SZP9677 - Monograph: B Jennings. 1967. A History of Nidderdale.
Other Statuses and References
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Associated Events
None Recorded
Associated Finds
None Recorded
Related Records
None Recorded