Biddick Hall

Biddick Hall was built in the early 18th century primarily of brick. From 1837 until the Lambtons moved there from Lambton 'Castle' in 1932, Biddick Hall was the residence of the Agent of the Lambton Estate.

The above picture, and that below, were taken by the late Mr. Bill Lees of Bournmoor. The picture above shows a full view of the facade of Biddick Hall, with its five bays and two stories with a carpet of daffodils which flower every spring. It has been suggested that the facade shows certain "Vanbrughian characteristics", which may be accounted for by Vanbrugh's presence in the area at Lumley in 1721

Above: the approach road to Biddick House which is also carpeted by daffodils every springtime

Above: Biddick Hall in the 1850's by John Cumming Farrow

Biddick Hall is described by William Pevsner thus:

A fine early C18 house of brick with stone dressings and a mildly Baroque main (s) façade. Five bays, two storeys, with parapet and quoins. The main bay is squeezed in by giant Ionic pilasters, wide and slightly tapering, carrying a pediment on a bulgy frieze. Three vases on the pediment, more on the pilastered parapet. In the centre of the roof, a straight row of chimneys. W elevation also of five bays, the centre taken up by oeils-de-boeuf which lit closets (cf. local vernacular, eg. New Holmside) in the spine. A long Neo-Georgian wing at the back (by E.M. Lawson and Partners, 1954-5) replaced a much-altered basically C16 wing. On the E side, a one-bay extension, the front half of it, with rainwater heads of 1859, slightly set back from the main façade, the back half built in 1954-5. Earlier masonry also incorporated in the C18 house (the front wall is 4 ft thick): Surtees' illustration of Biddick shows a house rather like Houghton Hall, Houghton-le-Spring. Remodelling was probably done for Freville Lambton 'of Biddick' 1723 and the Vanbrughian characteristics of the façade may be accounted for by Vanbrugh's presence in the area (at Lumley, three miles away) in 1721.

A narrow entrance lobby opens into the staircase hall, through an arch with Doric pilasters and a large keystone. Early C18 wrought-iron balustrade of simple anthemion pattern to the staircase, which is cantilevered round three sides of the hall in the upper flights. The ground-floor ceiling with a giant egg-and-dart moulding instead of a cornice. Above the staircase, plasterwork ceiling reminiscent of the Lumley Banqueting Room, i.e. of 1745, attributed to La Francini. Slightly cove, with arabesques enclosed by opposing volutes in each corner, masks and swags between, plain central roundel. Venetian staircase window 1960 with by Trenwith Wills. Later decoration in the other rooms. E of the lobby the drawing room, including the C19 bay with late C19 Adam-style decoration. C18 chimneypiece by Henry Cheere; inlaid marble with relief tablet of Daphnis and Chloe. Behind this room, the dining room, extended to the E and redecorated in weak Neo-Georgian in 1954-5 by Trenwith Wills.

From 1837 until the Lambtons moved there in 1932, Biddick Hall was the residence of the agent of the Lambton estate. The Estate Office, at the back, may date from 1837, when I. Bonomi's proposals for alterations were rejected in favour of cheaper ones.

C20 landscaping and formal gardens with two C17 stone garden figures from Lambton Old Hall, one female, the other slaying the notorious Lambton worm. Original wrought-iron forecourt fence.

Above: aerial view of Biddick Hall and gardens

Above: a postcard of Biddick Hall c.1910

Above: Biddick Hall, date unknown

Above: Biddick Hall in 1900

Biddick Hall Lodge

The picture postcard above dates to the early 1900's and shows a lodge at the main entrance to the driveway of Biddick Hall. The lodge no longer exits but it is interesting to compare the above picture with the modern one below, taken from approximately the same location.

The old trackway to the right still exists and is a public right-of-way known locally as "The Gill". It follows the line of an old coal waggonway which ran from the pits in the Bournmoor area to the river at Fatfield. The pathway is on the raised embankment along which the old waggonway ran and the drainage ditches at either side are still visible. Glimpses of Biddick Hall can also be gained from this track.