Monument record 1298/4/2 - Saw Mill, Tattondale Farm, Tatton Park

Part of the Tattondale Farm complex. The engine house contained a horizontal steam engine, perhaps of 200hp, capable of dealing with the root grinding, corn and animal feed milling and sawmilling requirements for the 90 odd farms that made up the vast Egerton Estate at the turn of the C20th. It also provided a heating and drying facility for the farm itself and was supplied with steam from a Lancashire Boiler. In 1937 a fire destroyed the workshops and damaged the engine, which was removed. The present engine was introduced in 1970. The nature of the original engine can only be deduced from the archaeology of the building, eg. the flywheel scar on the wall and the position of the fixing bolts. The tall chimney dominates the farm buildings and testifies to the level of industry and mechanical self-sufficiency of the estate up until WWII. The engine house and steam engine was one among many functions that included workshops, stores, glazing, painting, plastering shops, blacksmiths, carpentry and joinery, as well as the normal agricultural function. (1)

Barn abuts to south of stable block. South front of 5 bays running ABABA. Has stone surrounded pitch holes to first floor and B has double threshing floor doors. Stone hinge dressings to door surrounds and segmental heads. Rectangular breathers. 19th century windows with segmental heads inserted at ground floor level. North front has no first floor pitch holes, merely double doors corresponding in position and appearance to those on the south front. (1)

<1> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 3/112; SJ87SW (Report). SCH1934.

<2> M Greystone., 1995, Personal Communication concerning Tatton Park to J Milln, 16.6.95. (Oral Communication). SCH4983.

<3> National Trust, 2002, The National Trust. 2002. National Trust Sites & Monuments Record Full Report. (Report). SCH4960.