Steeped in History
The Old Hall is a Grade II* Listed Building which means she is of significant historical importance, and protected by law. Only 5.5% of listed buildings are II*, so The Old Hall truly is a special place.
The current building likely dates from around 1625 and was thought to have been built by Godfrey Frogatt (1597-1664).
Of particular significance is the ornate plaster ceiling in the parlour which was likely added around 1630. Godfrey Frogatt married up in the world to Elizabeth Bullock in 1629, and it is thought that the ceiling may have been commissioned to impress a lady used to the finer things in life. The same craftsman may have also worked their magic at Cartledge Hall, where very similar plasterwork can be found.
In the dining room is a fine example of Wainscot wood panelling and the keen-eyed of you will notice the decorative pattern is repeated in some of the doors. This same pattern is also featured at St John the Baptist’s Church in Mayfield.
There are some very old beams throughout the house – including a number in the ‘secret room’ (The Butlers Pantry) and the small bedroom. In the attic, which is currently closed off to guests, are some very old beams, the wood for which is likely to have been felled around the time of The Battle of Agincourt in 1415!
The oldest beams, dated by using dendrochronology samples (a dating technique that exploits the annual growth increments of trees to provide a precise estimate of the age of a wood sample) date the two oldest cruck blades to 1558.
There are reports of witches’ marks on one of the beams… so you can sleep safely at night.
The Froggat family paid two shillings (10p) for each of the three hearths in 1667, 1668 and 1669 respectively. Our favourite is the huge inglenook fireplace in the room by the kitchen. We can only imagine the conversations and celebrations that have happened next to them.
