| Description | Tong Hall, Tong. Hall built 1702 set in park landscape.
'Tong Hall still commands a fine open prospect over gently falling grounds to the west north west and is approached from Tong Lane by a short formal drive terminating in a circular carriage sweep in front of the principal south entrance. The Stable Court, including the Home Farm, lies discreetly at a slightly lower level to the west of the house. Associated with the Tempest family since the C15/C16, Tong Hall was rebuilt by Sir George Tempest in 1702, and is the only house of any consequence in the Bradford area to be built of brick (in part no doubt because of the proximity to Leeds). The architect who introduced this modern fashionable material was Theophilus Shelton, Lawyer and gentleman architect, resident at Heath Hall, outside Wakefield and the designer of The Butter Cross at Beverley. As completed by Shelton the house consisted of a symmetrical block of 3 storey centre with 2 storey wings with a low ashlar basement, a sophisticated elevation for 1702.
In 1773 the house was enlarged, the architect apparently being one John Platt. He heightened the wings to 3 storeys and the centre received a blind attic and a pediment, probably the original one reset. Canted bay windows were added to the north front and the interior underwent some redecoration. The ashlar basement, largely concealed retains the traditional mullioned windows. Platbands to first and second floors. Two bay wings and 3 bay centre with rusticated quoins, moulded ashlar window architraves. Tong with Esholt Hall would appear to have been one of the earliest sashed houses in the county. The existing glazing bar sashes are more likely of circa 1773. The slightly projecting wings have modillion eaves cornices returned as platband with fluting and paterae across and above the blind attic storey of the centre. The tympanum of the modillion pediment has delicate corn husk festoons linking paterae and 3 swagged urns crown the pediment proper. The main entrance is an alteration of circa 1773. Crisply modelled architrave doorcase with carved consoles flanking delicate festoon frieze and carrying dentil cornice. Above however is the original, though rather weathered, Baroque achievement of the Tempest Arms. A very rare feature of the doorway is the stained glass sundial of 1709 by Henry Syles depicting the sun and the four seasons, set in the fanlight. Short flight of splayed steps leads up to doorway with scrolled out, delicate iron balustrade of circa 1773. The north front is similarly detailed with addition of the 1773 two storey canted ashlar bays to the wings and 2 bull's eye windows flanking the central first floor window. The west side has a circa 1773 delicate Doric columned porch with similar ironwork to that on front. The interior retains much of 1702 panelling with the redecorations of 1773. |