Jesmond Dene House

House, later used as school. 1822 by John Dobson for T.E. Headlam. Extensive additions and alterations - porch dated 1897 added by F.W. Rich for Sir Andrew Noble (one of Armstrong's partners). Originally known as Black Dene, it was renamed Jesmond Dene House in 1851. Rock-faced sandstone with chiselled margins, ashlar dressings and plinth. Left range has upper-timber frame with infill of pebble-dash render. Tiled roofs with roll-moulded gable copings. Tudor style. 2 storeys and attics. Interior - typical late 19th century magnate's house, eclectic and rich. Special features - Frosterly marble fenders, William de Morgan tiles on sitting room fireplace, Great Hall with elaborate Jacobean panelling and carving to chimney piece, and small staircase alongside in huge alcove, multi-moulded beams and joists to roof with corbelled arch trusses and central bosses. Sir Andrew Noble, one of Armstrong's partners and a ballistics expert acquired the house in 1871. The extensions added for Noble almost obliterate Dobson's house. The rear wing was added in 1870-1, the rooms at the front 1875 and the billiard room, by Norman Shaw in 1885. The porch by F.W. Rich was added in 1897. Many distinguished guests stayed here, such as Rudyard Kipling and Baden Powell. Subterranean network of tunnels for cold storage under the house, later utilised as air raid shelters when the house became the HQ for the Home Guard during WW2 (see HER 1953). LISTED GRADE 2