Penshaw House, Station Road

Penshaw House was listed Grade II in 1985 with the following description:
'House, now social services assessment centre and 2 dwellings. Circa 1830. Ashlar; low-pitched roof of Welsh slate with flat stone gable coping. 2 storeys, 3 windows on West elevation. Central half-glazed door between narrow windows in flat Tuscan doorcase; tripartite sash windows at ground floor, single sashes at first, all with glazing bars. Cill band, eaves cornice and blocking course. 2 end brick chimneys. Interior shows architraves to 5-panelled doors, window shutters and some moulded cornices and patterned friezes. Staircase has decorated tread ends.' {1}
Nathaniel Hindhaugh, a Colliery Agent for Lord Londonderry is listed at the property in the 1851 census. Hindhaugh was responsible for the diversion of the road to create private grounds at Penshaw House in 1847. In 1861 John Allison, a corn manufacturer is listed at Penshaw House. In 1871 is was occupied by three servants suggesting that the main house was unoccupied but still in use by a family of some means. It was described as unoccupied between 1879-1881. By 1890 it was home to Frank Stobart. In 1891 head of the house is recorded as Richard Thompson. By 1912 it was home to Herbert and Olive Watson - Olive was Richard Thompson's niece. Following the Great War the house was occupied by George Horner - it is assumed he lived at the house until his death in 1947. Horner was the last private resident. The house then became a nursery for children born out of wedlock. In 1970 it became a remand home and has since then been used by different agencies involved in social work with young people. Parts of the original building have been demolished over the past 20 years. The gardens, lodge and gateway etc that Hindhaugh created in the mid 19th century were destroyed by the Washington Highway. The house was recorded by ASUD in 2012. It retains some internal features such as cornicing, friezes and picture rails. LISTED GRADE 2