The original architect is unknown, but the main house was significantly altered from 1752 to 1760 by James Paine for the third Viscount, including internal remodelling, rebuilding the south entrance and resetting the roof balustrade.

[1] In 1869, the ninth viscount sold the estate for unknown reasons to Henry Shaw, a cotton spinner and also a fruit and vegetable exporter from Cleckheaton.

The records from the sale described it thus: The Hall is situated in the midst of a noble park of about 330 acres in extent... and is approached through a long avenue of stately forest trees...

[3] Despite the unfortunate changes to the interior, Nikolaus Pevsner wrote that the main fronts of Cowick Hall were among the most accomplished 17th-century country house designs in England.

Pevsner noted the decorated "cornice supported on pairs of large acanthus brackets above each pilaster," with the giant carved and painted achievement of the Dawnay family with their motto TIMET PUDOREM ("he fears shame") above the door.