Washington Hall (Dame Margaret Hall)

Washington Village, Sunderland

Tyne & Wear

England

Historic County: County Durham

Circa Date: 1854-57 w/1860s addition

Status: Fully Extant

House Open to Public: No

Country House: Yes

Built / Designed For: Isaac Lowthian Bell

House & Family History: Washington Hall is famous today as the birthplace of Gertrude Bell, explorer and Middle East expert; the house was built for her father, Isaac Lowthian Bell, a noted 19th century chemical manufacturer. For much of the 20th century Washington Hall served as residential school; it has now been divided into flats (it was renamed Dame Margaret Hall during occupation by the school). The famous Turkish bath installed by Philip Webb in the 1860s was destroyed.
Architect: Philip Webb

Date of Birth: 1831
Date of Death: 1915
Nationality: British
Notes: Philip Webb is known as the father of Arts & Crafts architecture.

Date: 1865-67
Designed: Addition to House

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Architect: A. B. Higham

Date of Birth: ?
Date of Death: ?
Nationality: British
Notes: 19th century Newcastle architect.

Date: 1854-57
Designed: House for Isaac Lowthian Bell

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House Listed: Grade II

Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: Isaac Lowthian Bell, 19th century.

Current Ownership Type: Flat Owners Company / Condo Association

Primary Current Ownership Use: Flats / Multi Family
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No

House, Family & Collections History