Structure Name: Biddlestone Roman Catholic Chapel

Description:
 

Biddlestone Chapel was created when the upper floors of a thirteenth or fourteenth century tower house were remodelled around 1820. As such much of the medieval fabric survives in the structure, from the barrel vaulted basement, right up to the eaves of the northern and western walls. The medieval fabric is composed of roughly hewn stone, whilst the remodelling that created the chapel was carried out using ashlar. The chapel has three bays and a steeply pitched roof. The basement contains an extremely well preserved, Anderson-style air raid shelter.
 

Extant: Yes

Legal Status: Listed Building Grade II*, Scheduled Ancient Monument

Location: Biddlestone, NORTHUMBERLAND

Eastings: 395530m (view map)

Northings: 608310m (view map)

Position Accuracy: 20m

Positional Confidence: Absolute Certainty

Structure Types Identified: AIR RAID SHELTER, CONVALESCENT HOME, PELE TOWER, ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL

Chronology:

• 1272   Selby family granted land in the borders.
• LATE 14TH CENTURY   Pele Tower probably built during this period, though some authorities suggest it has a thirteenth century origin.
• 17TH CENTURY AD   Tower incorporated into house structure.
• 1787 - 1816   Biddlestone Hall built on site of previous house in around 1796 by Thomas Selby.
      Entities Involved:
            Selby, Thomas:
• 1820   Domestic Roman Catholic chapel erected on remains of tower for Walter Selby.
      Entities Involved:
            Dobson, John: Designed chapel.
            Selby, Walter: Commissioned building.
• SECOND WORLD WAR   Ad-hoc Anderson shelter constructed in the basement of the chapel. Biddlestone Hall may also have been used as a miltary convalescence hospital during the war.
• 1960   Biddlestone Hall demolished, c.1960, leaving only the chapel standing.
• 1997   Chapel taken into the care of the Historic Chapels Trust.
      Entities Involved:
            Historic Chapels Trust:
• 2001   Chapel scheduled on 20th July 2001.
      Entities Involved:
            English Heritage:

Notes
 

Anecdotal evidence suggests that Biddlestone Hall was the basis for Osbaldistone Hall in the novel 'Rob Roy' by Walter Scott.

Access to the chapel can be arranged by ringing 01665 574420, 01669 620230 or 01669 630270, or email henfrey@calleycastle.com.
 

References:

• Keys To The Past
• Northumberland SMR
• Pevsner, N., Richmond, I., Grundy, J., McCombie, G., Ryder, P. and Welfare, H. (2001) The Buildings of England: Northumberland. London, Penguin Books, pp.186-187

The information displayed in this page has been derived from authoritative sources, including any referenced above. Although substantial efforts were made to verify this information, the SINE project cannot guarantee its correctness or completeness.

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