LOCATION, AREA, BOUNDARIES, LANDFORM, SETTING Ramshaw Hall is situated at the north-east corner of the small hamlet of Ramshaw with a south-easterly aspect, on land which slopes gently to the south. The setting is rural and agricultural. The boundary of the 0.25ha site is formed by stone walls and the south elevation of the hall on the north and by stone walls on all other sides.
ENTRANCES AND APPROACHES A C20 drive approaches Ramshaw Hall from the north. but the main entrance to the gardens is via a sandstone ashlar pedestrian entrance set within a low stone wall with late C17 moulded copings (Grade II) The entrance has square corniced gate piers surmounted by ball finials.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING Ramshaw Hall (Grade II*) is a later C17 building, possibly incorporating the core of an earlier building known to have been in existence in 1577. It has an L-shaped plan comprising a main, south, front range and a rear service wing. It has six bays with an entrance in the wider third bay.
GARDENS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS The gardens occupy a linear compartment (80m long and 30m wide) to the south, south-west and south-east sides of the hall. Immediately south of the hall there is an upper terrace divided in half by a low wall incorporating gate piers (Grade II); east of this wall, the terrace is lawned and west of the wall it is paved with stone flags and occupied by raised beds, all of C20 date. The upper terrace is flanked on the west side by a stone wall incorporating architectural fragments of the earlier hall; beyond this wall to the west the original terrace edge is visible as a prominent linear earthwork scarp. It is flanked on the east side by a low wall incorporating gate piers (Grade II), and is defined on the south side by a stone wall revetment with moulded coping stones probably re-used from the earlier house (one with a carving of a bird). A centrally placed (rebuilt) flight of stone steps leads down to the lower terrace. Dressed edging stones outline a narrow border either side of the stone steps on the lower terrace and there are traces of some earlier path detail, but most of this terrace is occupied by a formal garden comprising C20 parterres and paths. The western extent of this terrace is defined by an earthwork scarp with an outer stone wall incorporating gate piers and finials of an early date, which may be re-used masonry from the original house; beyond this the wall has been removed but its line is visible as low foundations. A compartment to the west of these terraces, contains the earthwork remains of an upper and lower terrace separated by a scarp, occupied by a planted hedge. The upper terrace is part occupied by a C20 parterre and a path, the latter on the site of a line of trees marking a boundary on the 1857 Ordnance Survey map. The lower terrace comprises a lawn with a former dovecote (Grade II) occupying its south-east corner, and this building is cut into the scarp defining its eastern side. The lower western terrace is also bounded on the south by a line of trees within a dry stone wall revetment.