The building was constructed in the 16th century, for the Nicholson family, who held offices under the Archbishop of York.
[2] Around this time, four life-sized Mediaeval sculptures believed to represent the Four Evangelists were found buried at All Saints' Church, Cawood, and were put on display outside the house.
[1] The house is partly timber framed, with the rest in orange-red brick, with floor bands, a dentilled moulded cornice, a pantile roof with brick-capped kneelers and gable ends, and a curvilinear gable on the rear wing.
It has two storeys and an L-shaped plan, with a front range of three bays, a rear wing, and two outshuts.
On the front is a two-storey pedimented porch with an elliptical entrance, side seats inside, and an internal doorway.