Rare Tudor paintings show 'fantastical beasts'

4 April 2025

Catherine Lee

BBC News, North East and Cumbria

The paintings were created using a secco technique where pigments are applied to dry plaster

Historic England Wall painting dating from the 16th Century, of the head of a beast - possibly a dog - emerging from decorative foliage. It is grey paint on a plaster background. — The paintings were created using a secco technique where pigments are applied to dry plaster

Rare 16th Century wall paintings have been revealed at a former Tudor hunting lodge.

The Grotesque-style images were found behind failing plasterwork at The Ashes, in Inglewood Forest, near Ivegill, Cumbria

They feature fantastical beasts and foliage arranged in decorative panels, thought to be an imitation textile design.

In addition, scientific dating has confirmed that some of the earliest timbers in the building date from the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I.

Jen and Richard Arkell, the owners of The Ashes, said: "A small fragment of wall painting - similar to that seen at nearby Dacre Hall - has been visible in the house since before we acquired the property over 20 years ago.

"However, recent work to the primary upstairs bedroom revealed much more of the composition.

"Removing old failing plaster to find these remarkable motifs and faces looking back at us is a moment we will never forget."

The Ashes is listed as Grade II*, reflecting its exceptional historic importance

Historic England The Ashes, a former Tudor Hunting Lodge. A large white two-storey building with chimneys at either end of the pitched slate roof. There are two sets of two narrow arched windows on either side of the front door, which is painted blue and set slightly to the right of centre. Five windows, again in sets of two are on the upper storey. — The Ashes is listed as Grade II*, reflecting its exceptional historic importance

Some of the roof timbers date from the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I

Historic England A view of roof timbers - dating from the 16th Century - pitched around a central pillar. — Some of the roof timbers date from the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I

Recent scientific dating using dendrochronology - a technique that analyses tree growth rings to determine age - established that the earliest part of the roof used timber, which was felled in or around the winter of 1561 to 1562.

The building has been given further recognition and protection by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.

As well as the Grade II* listing for the main building, it has been awarded Grade II listing to adjoining agricultural buildings and boundary walls.

The paintings were described as a "remarkable" find

Historic England Wall painting dating from the 16th Century of a rabbit - grey paint on a plaster background. — The paintings were described as a "remarkable" find

Myra Tolan-Smith, from Historic England, said: "The combination of motifs discovered here is unusual even by national standards.

"Together with the newly listed farm buildings, this discovery provides remarkable insight into the evolution of a significant Tudor hunting lodge into a working farm."

Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith and Solway, said: "It's quite clear these paintings were a remarkable find and it's wonderful news that they have now been protected as part of the building's listing.

"We can only hope that local people can enjoy them and the history of Cumbria for many years to come."