Site of Weardale Manor

 hill, interesting place

In 1906 Philip Stanhope, 1st Baron Weardale, built a substantial house here - the highest point on the greensand ridge north of the weald. From this high vantage point four counties can be seem. Little is known of the house other than it had 145 rooms and contained a magnificent 12ft wide mahogany staircase. It was only used in the summer months. After his death the house quickly fell into disrepair and by 1939 was a derelict ruin. The house was demolished at the start of WW2 as it was belived that it would be a navigational aid for any German bombers wishing to target Chartwell, the residence of the Winston Churchill, which was directly west of the house, less than 1 mile distant. The foundations and garden terrace are still visible today.