Monument record 14125/2 - Gardens and Parkland at Christleton Hall

<1> Cheshire Gardens Trust, 2011 onwards, Research and Recording Report, Christleton Hall (Report). SCH6655.

The basic garden and parkland, as it was represented on the 1841 Tithe Map, with its curve of woodland around its perimeter, a central pasture to the west of the house, kitchen and walled gardens to the east and lawned area to the south has been maintained. The two ponds near the canal have been filled in.

The lawned area to the south still exists although the circular flowerbeds seen in the early 20th century photographs have gone. The shrubs and trees around this area include variegated holly, rhododendron, magnolia, chestnut, beech and cedars. A path leading through shrubs to the west is now too overgrown to be used, but it did lead to a small concrete pond with a now headless statue of Pan sitting on the edge.The conservatory and fernery that was constructed on the south side of the house has now gone but has been re-erected at Mere Hall on the Wirral.

To the right of the main entrance amongst the trees are the remains of a folly constructed by the monks. It used to have a big statue on top but no one knows where it is now and the folly, constructed of materials they found in the grounds, is falling down.

The walled garden to the east of the house still has very old thick, deep sandstone edging to its central pathway. Some ancient apple, pear and plum trees as well as some espaliered fruit trees still remain although many have been lost. Along the south-facing wall there is a line of metal brackets high up on its face. These could have been used to support wall shelters – areas behind glass where delicate plants and espalier fruits could be protected.

A conveyancing document plan of 1926 shows that the gazebo, a stretch of boundary wall and land behind it were part of the Stoneydale gardens. When the Salvatorians bought Christleton Hall, they also bought part of Stoneydale’s garden on which to build a house for their principal. This later became the visiting nuns’ house. At this stage, the gazebo became part of the Christleton Hall estate. The Tithe Map shows that both Christleton Hall and Stoneydale were under the same ownership.