Heath Hall

The original hall, called Eshald House, was built for, and probably designed by, Theophilus Shelton. In 1709 the estate was bought by John Smyth, who had made a considerable fortune as a wool trader. In 1754 his nephew, also John, commissioned John Carr to undertake a major expansion of the house. Work continued under Smyth's grandson, another John, until completion in 1780. The resulting mansion is described by Historic England as "a magnificent composition, one of [Carr's] finest houses". The Smyths established their place in society during construction, the grandson serving as member of parliament for Pontefract for 25 years, becoming a Lord of the Admiralty, a Lord of the Treasury,…

Carr incorporated the original early 18th century house into his rebuilding, using it as the central block of his two-storeyed, 11-bay reconstruction. The hall is built of ashlar with slate roofs. The interior includes rococo plasterwork of a quality which Historic England considers surpasses anything Carr undertook elsewhere. The grounds of the house, and those of others on the heath are also registered.