Low Dinsdale Manor
Encyclopedia
Low Dinsdale Manor is a privately owned, much altered, and extended medieval manor house
situated on the north bank of the River Tees
at Low Dinsdale
, near Darlington
, County Durham
, England
. It is a Grade II* listed building.
The manor was owned by the Surtees family from the 12th century. Several members of the Surtees of Dinsdale family served as High Sheriff of Northumberland
. In 1511 on the death of the last male of the family it passed to his daughter Katherine Place. Rowland Place was High Sheriff of Durham in 1654. The house was the birthplace of his son artist Francis Place (1647–1728). In 1718 the manor was sold to Cuthbert Routh and in 1770 to John Lambton of Lambton. In 1789 a mineral spring was discovered on the estate and a Spa
was established. Lambton's son John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham
built Dinsdale Spa Hotel
in 1829.
In 1844 the Earl sold the manor to Henry George Surtees (High Sheriff of Durham 1862) a descendant of the ancient family. He substantially extended and altered the house in 1876 adding new bays to the medieval core and two cross-gabled wings.
In 1914 the manor was sold to Sir Henry Havelock-Allan Bt
.
A large part of the estate was sold for the creation of a golf course
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
situated on the north bank of the River Tees
River Tees
The River Tees is in Northern England. It rises on the eastern slope of Cross Fell in the North Pennines, and flows eastwards for 85 miles to reach the North Sea between Hartlepool and Redcar.-Geography:...
at Low Dinsdale
Low Dinsdale
Low Dinsdale is a village and civil parish in the borough of Darlington and the ceremonial county ofCounty Durham, England. It is situated a few miles to the south-east of Darlington.Historically the village was commonly known as Dinsdale...
, near Darlington
Darlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is a Grade II* listed building.
The manor was owned by the Surtees family from the 12th century. Several members of the Surtees of Dinsdale family served as High Sheriff of Northumberland
High Sheriff of Northumberland
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of the English county of Northumberland.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post...
. In 1511 on the death of the last male of the family it passed to his daughter Katherine Place. Rowland Place was High Sheriff of Durham in 1654. The house was the birthplace of his son artist Francis Place (1647–1728). In 1718 the manor was sold to Cuthbert Routh and in 1770 to John Lambton of Lambton. In 1789 a mineral spring was discovered on the estate and a Spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
was established. Lambton's son John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham
John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham
John George Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham GCB, PC , also known as "Radical Jack" and commonly referred to in history texts simply as Lord Durham, was a British Whig statesman, colonial administrator, Governor General and high commissioner of British North America...
built Dinsdale Spa Hotel
Dinsdale Park
Dinsdale Park is a 19th century mansion and former Spa hotel at Low Dinsdale, near Darlington, County Durham, England now converted into residential apartments...
in 1829.
In 1844 the Earl sold the manor to Henry George Surtees (High Sheriff of Durham 1862) a descendant of the ancient family. He substantially extended and altered the house in 1876 adding new bays to the medieval core and two cross-gabled wings.
In 1914 the manor was sold to Sir Henry Havelock-Allan Bt
Havelock-Allan Baronets
The Havelock-Allan Baronetcy, of Lucknow, is a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 22 January 1858. Originally intended for the celebrated soldier Sir Henry Havelock , it was granted after his death to his eldest son and namesake Lieutenant-General Henry Havelock, with...
.
A large part of the estate was sold for the creation of a golf course