Site Event/Activity record ECH6142 - Alderley Park - Research and Recording

Research and recording of Alderley Park, Nether Alderley. Summary A medieval deer park where streams were diverted and a mere developed to supply the 16th century water mill at Nether Alderley. The mill ponds were extended to provide an ornamental setting for Alderley Old Hall. The Hall and park, which had become ornamental parkland by the 17th century, became the home of the Stanley family. In 1779 the Alderley Old Hall was largely destroyed by fire and the Stanley family moved to Park House situated in the south of the park. Late 18th century enclosure and road improvements confirmed the Stanley’s rights to land, stone and minerals, and enabled the realignment of Congleton Road to the west so enclosing fields within the park. Park House was rebuilt as Alderley House, with pleasure grounds, additional woodland walks, a water garden and a walled kitchen garden. The Hall and park were situated at the heart of a large estate encompassing farms, mosses and Alderley Edge, estate management heavily influencing the form of the parkland landscape. In 1931 Alderley house was destroyed by fire. The Stanley estate was put up for sale in 1938. Alderley Park (400 acres) was not sold until 1950 when it was purchased by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) for the development of research laboratories and commercial headquarters of what was to become ICI Pharmaceuticals Division. ICI undertook extensive development, restoration and planting of the park. AstraZeneca became the owners of the site in 1999. In March 2013, AstraZeneca announced plans to cease Research and Development work at Alderley Park and in March 2014 the site was bought by Manchester Science Parks (MSP), with AstraZeneca remaining as the key tenant. Principal remaining features Park contains a number of Grade II listed structures. Parkland - medieval deer park and late 18th/early 19th c landscape park Managed Woodland on rising ground east of Radnor Mere and in south east of the park Tree Belt forming west boundary along A34 Congleton Road, late 18th/early 19th C and 20th C planting Tree Avenue of horse chestnut and lime following line of old road through park Tree clumps situated on hillocks within the parkland Veteran trees situated within the parkland (sweet chestnut) and north east of Radnor Mere (beech) Arboretum with some 19th c planting but most specimens dating from 1960s Ponds within the parkland (originating as marl pits and brick pits) and within the woodland as part of the water system serving the mill, now cleared for fishing and wildlife. Radnor Mere a glacial mere extended in 19th c Sluice at north end of Radnor Mere Courtyards to Alderley House with 1960s landscaping Stable courtyards largely paved, enclosed by 19th c stable blocks, barns and 20th c buildings Walled former kitchen garden now converted to tennis courts and sports pitches Water garden early 19th c with 1960s ‘restoration’ and replanting Serpentine Lake early 19th c Loggia 19th/early 20th c Walks primarily 17th- 20th c in woodland, 20th c in parkland