Kentmere -Hall
From Kelly's Directory of Cumb. and Westmorland - 1934:Æ
Kentmere Hall, now a farmhouse, was the seat of the GILPIN family from about 1370 or earlier and here was born in 1517 the famous Bernard GILPIN, a distinguished promoter of the Reformation, and best known as the "Apostle of the North". He was the son of Edwin or Ewan GILPIN, and entered Queen's College, Oxford in 1533, and in 1540 became a Fellow of that college. He proceeded to the M.A. degree in 1542, and, migrating to Christ Church, there took the B.D. degree in 1549. He was for some time rector of Thornton-le-Moors, vicar of Norton, and afterwards rector of Easington and archdeacon of Durham. He subsequently became rector of Houghton-le-Spring and there, in 1574, founded a free grammar school and almshouse. By Queen Elizabeth he was offered the bishopric of Carlisle, but declined it, as well as the provostship of Queen's College, and died at Houghton, 4th March 1583.
The buildings of the Hall, as now existing, appear to date from the 14th century, and comprise a central block, with an ivy-grown pele tower at the south end, and on the north a gabled wing placed at right angles and extending to the rear. The east or principal front includes the entrance doorway which has a pointed arch and opens into a passage running straight through to the back; the tower, 31 by 23 feet, has a garderobe turret on the south-west, and the north-west angle a spiral stair in the wall, here about 4 feet thick; the basement consists of a vaulted cellar, lighted by splayed windows and loops. Above are three storeys, each of one chamber, and the solar or first floor, retains a fireplace and a trefoil-headed window. The tower is finished with a parapet carried on corbels, and rising at the angles into small embattled turrets. The central block, now divided, originally comprised the dining hall, probably about 14 feet by 30 feet, its mullioned window is now converted into a doorway. The north wing serves as a stable and for other purposes.