Landscape record 7831/2 - Park and Gardens at Ramsdell Hall

<1> Burdett, P. P., 1777, A Survey of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH113.

Peter Burdett’s County Map of 1777 indicates the settlement of Old House Green in this location.

<2> Greenwood, C. & Greenwood J., 1819, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2115.

Christopher Greenwood’s County Map of 1819 shows ‘Ramsdill Hall’ with a park bounded to the south by the road between Kent Green and Old House Green.

<3> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

Bryants map of 1831 shows the Macclesfield Canal (opened 1831) separating Ramsdell Hall from most of its W parkland

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

Trees and pond shown marked on the OS first edition maps to the west of the Macclesfield canal.

<5> Cheshire Gardens Trust, 2011 onwards, Research and Recording Report (Report). SCH6655.

The grounds of 18th century Ramsdell Hall which were reduced to 20 acres and separated from most associated parkland by the building of the Macclesfield Canal. The garden layout surrounding the hall of 1831-38 remains remarkably intact.

In the Middle Ages the area around Ramsdell Hall was part of the Royal Forest of Leek and Macclesfield. Recorded in Domesday, this forest was noted for "its wood, its aery for hawks, and its enclosures for taking the wild deer"1. The hamlet of Old House Green may have originated as a verderer’s dwelling. A 16th century cottage immediately east of Ramsdell Hall (now forming part of the stable courtyard) is evidence of settlement predating the hall.

Ramsdell Hall is bounded by the Macclesfield Canal to the west and Station Road to the east where the boundary is defined by a thorn hedge. The site boundaries and acreage appear to have changed little from the 20 acres recorded in 1838- 30 as leased to Robert Williamson, and the 18 acres reported in 1954 after a field at the southern end of the property had been sold for construction of a canal marina. West of the canal the landscape has a sense of antiquity with some fields containing isolated trees of the former parkland

The Principal remaining features of the park and garden are

Drive c.1830
18c Gate piers and gates, listed Grade II but brought from elsewhere in the 1960’s
Kitchen garden wall pre 1825
Railings c.1830
Mounting block with dog kennel
Sundial
Stone pillar, possibly a cross
2 ponds
Woodland
Shrubbery
Tree avenue