Landscape record 7977/1 - Nineteenth Century Gardens and Parkland at Manor House, North Rode

<1> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

Extent of parkland centered on buildings named "Toot Hill Lodge" shown.

<2> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

Tithe map of 1838 shows stables,yard, woods and pleasure ground at this location. Also a walled garden to the north of the house described as "new gardec, shrubberies"

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

Map illustrates the wider landscape park around buildings labelled "The Cottage" and structures including icehouse, summerhouses, boathouse on the fishpond and hydraulic pump

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

House at the centre of the parkland is now named "Manor House"

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1896-98, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 6 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2472.

Extent of parkland shaded on this map. GIS polygon represents the extent marked at this date.

<6> de Figueiredo P & Treuherz J, 1988, Cheshire Country Houses, p.260 (Book). SCH785.

House described as being beautifully situated and overlooking a mere.

<7> Matrix Archaeology, 2002, Manor House, North Rode, Macclesfield: Archaeological Assessment (Client Report). SCH4441.

Extensive pond was first shown on Bryants Map of 1831. It was formed by throwing an earthern dam across the valley of the Cow Brook. Prior to the northern half of the pond becoming silted up, it was 1km in length and up to 100m wide. It was probably intended as a boating and fishing pond, and as there was a hydraulic pumping system adjacent ot he dam, it seems that the head of water was utilised for raising water (from a well?) up to the "Manor House" during the late 19th century.

<8> Cheshire Gardens Trust, 2011 onwards, Research and Recording Report (Report). SCH6655.

Principal Historic Features remaining

Lake with circular weir (1814-18)
Two drives on historic route (1822)
Manor House (1840)
Garden Ornament (former porch; 1840)
'Jacob's well (pre-1840)
Small building with battlements (1840)
Stone enclosure of spring (c.1850)
Ice house and retaining wall (c.1850)
Mature Rhododendrons and trees (1850s?)
Layout of paths in gardens and knoll (1912)