Earlier Houses: The Grade II* 17th century Swarland Old Hall is a small house (currently used for self catering holiday accommodation) that incorporates parts of earlier houses. It served as the manor house before Swarland Hall was built in the 18th century; it had been the seat of de Haslerigg family since the Norman Conquest.
House & Family History: John Carr of York's only known Northumberland works are Swarland Park and Chesters (1771). Richard Grieve purchased Swarland in 1753; his son, Davidson Richard Grieve, inherited the estate in 1765 and immediately began rebuilding the House. His trustees sold Swarland in 1793 to Alexander Davison (a confidant and agent of Lord Nelson). The Davison family were seated at Swarland until the mid-19th century. Colliery owners purchased Swarland in 1922 and used the Estate to house miners (pigs were kept in bedrooms of the House). The Fountains Abbey Settlers Society purchased Swarland in 1934; the House was in the hands of house-breakers the same year.
Garden & Outbuildings: In tribute to Nelson, Davison planted the Park to reflect the fleet positioning at the Battle of Nile. The Fountains Abbey Settlers Society built almost 80 houses in the Park.
Architect: John Carr
Date: 1765
Title: Christie's Auction Catalog: The Country House Sale: Newton Hall, Northumberland
Author: NA
Year Published: 2010
Reference: pg. 3
Publisher: London: Christie's
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Softback
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Reference: pg. 223
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
Title: Lost Houses of Newcastle and Northumberland
Author: Faulkner, Thomas; Lowery, Phoebe
Year Published: 1996
Publisher: Yorkshire: Jill Raines
ISBN: 0951649426
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Demolished
Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: de Haslerigg family, 11th century. SEATED AT 18TH CENTURY HOUSE: Richard Grieve, 18th century; Grieve family here 1793. Alexander Davison, 1793 until the mid-19th century.
Current Ownership Type: Demolished
Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No