An historic hall and Grade II Listed Building dated to 1834, Sockburn Hall was listed on Historic England’s endangered buildings register for two decades.
The hall was built on the site of a former medieval manor house believed to have been the home of Sir John Conyers, subject of a 13th century dragon slaying myth.
The Jacobean property had fallen into complete disrepair, beset by damp and a roof that was no longer watertight. It became completely overgrown and listed as being in peril.
A volunteer led clean-up in 2007 helped restore the skeleton of the hall and an English Heritage grant enabled its owners to repair the roof and list the hall and its ruined Saxon Church for private sale.
Its new owner commissioned Naru and Ross Architects to work in partnership with Coverdale Hughes to transform the derelict hall into a luxury family home.
The restoration project took two years and involved extensive works:
The collaboration between the architects, Darlington Borough Council, Historic England and Coverdale Hughes saw the external skin of the building, including three bays, attic spaces and shaped gables fully restored.
Peter Coverdale personally supported the owner to navigate several Listed Building consent applications, which were approved by Darlington Borough Council, ensuring the property was diligently restored under its status as a listed building and significant heritage asset.
The Sockburn Hall restoration won a Historic England Angel Award.
It is now restored to its original splendour with a sumptuous contemporary interior.
Rosalind Kain, historic assets officer for Darlington Borough Council, said:
“The new owner bought it to restore the 1834 former hunting lodge to a substantial family home. It is now back to the grandeur it had when it was first built and is a cherished and unique family home. This is one of Darlington’s most significant heritage assets, it’s very satisfying to see it lived in again.”
This project was achieved with our expertise in the following areas.
Coverdale Hughes are specialists in the repair and restoration of historic buildings, private homes of distinction and bespoke property developments.
