Site Event/Activity record ECH7359 - Poynton Park - Research and Recording

Poynton Park is the remnant of a much larger park which lay within a large estate owned by the Warren and then the Vernon families who benefited from the discovery of coal and the development of mining in the area, together with improvements in transport and proximity to local markets. The original timber framed 16th century Hall, later named Poynton Towers, was located in the southern parkland together with an extensive walled garden and pool, Kings Pool. It was succeeded by an 18th century Hall, Poynton Hall, situated overlooking the lake. Both Halls are recorded in paintings, etchings and estate plans; neither survives, Poynton Towers having been much altered was finally demolished in the 1940s, and Poynton Hall was demolished c1860s. Key elements of the 18th century designed landscape remain including the lake and associated trees, together with the King’s Pool, South Lodge and the Ice house which all lie outside the boundary of the public park. A palimpsest of the earlier formal landscape remains in the ancient Limes of the lime avenue. The Park and Pool, 21 hectares, are managed by Cheshire East, and included as non-designated heritage assets in the Poynton Neighbourhood Plan. Principal remaining features Poynton Pool – pre 1750, 22 acres in extent, dammed by an earth embankment planted with trees forming the western boundary of the historic park. The 1767 Staffordshire to Stockport turnpike, now the A523, was constucted parallel to the dam. The estimated capacity of the pool is 130,000m3 which means that it is subject to the Reservoirs Act 1975. The pool is idenfied as a non-designated heitage asset in the Poynton Neighbourhood Plan, and in Cheshire East Local Plan as a Site of Biological Importance / Local Wildlife Site. Kings Pool – pre 1770, with a central island, probably created at the same time as the adjacent walled garden of Poynton Towers, no longer extant. The pool now lies within a private gated housing development south of the remaining park. South Lodge - Grade II, 50 London Road North, List Entry Number:1277165 Early 19th century Icehouse – Grade II, Towers Road, List Number: 1277105 Circa 1758 with C19 ante-chamber Boathouse – 19th century brick boathouse, locally listed. Parkland trees – including veteran Lime trees over 250 years old, remnants of a lime avenue planted in relation to Poynton Towers; Beech and other trees on the dam over 200 years old.