One of Newcastle's finest residential buildings, Jesmond Dene House is full of architectural bravura, historical detail and an intriguing cast list. The original Georgian house, designed by John Dobson - responsible for many of Newcastle's handsome streets - was bought in 1871 by Captain Andrew Noble, a partner in Lord Armstrong's Tyneside-based shipbuilding and armaments business. As this empire grew, and Armstrong took a back seat, Noble needed a grander house for business entertaining. He commissioned Norman Shaw (Cragside, New Scotland Yard), and local architect Frank Rich, to double the size of the house adding a west wing, billiard room, Gothic porch, Great Hall and a fleet of bedrooms. The panelling, plasterwork, stone carvings, exuberant chimneys and stained glass date from this time.
Knighted in 1902, Sir Andrew Noble moved in high society; Rudyard Kipling, Lord Baden-Powell, Admiral Togo, Chinese ministers and Japanese princes have all stayed or dined here. After Sir Andrew's widow died, in 1929, the house was variously used as a college, Civil Defence establishment (tunnels still exist under the house), seminary and, until recently, as a residential school. It took 18 months to convert the empty building to a hotel which opened in 2005.
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