Monument record 262/2 - Site of Calveley Hall

<1> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.II p.284 (Book). SCH1389.

‘…The present house is an old timber building, now cased with brick, and enlarged from very small beginnings. There are no family paintings. [It was considerably improved some years ago when in the tenancy of earl Grosvenor, now duke of Westminster…’

<2> de Figueiredo P & Treuherz J, 1988, Cheshire Country Houses, p.222 (Book). SCH785.

A timber house encased in brick and subsequently half-timbered in the nineteenth century. Demolished in the twentieth century, though panelling was salvaged and was used at Rookery Hall in Worleston and on the liner City of Durban. A carved wooden fireplace, dating from the Georgian period, was moved to Capesthorne.

<3> Hartwell C, Hyde M, Hubbard E & Pevsner N, 2011, The Buildings of England: Cheshire (2011 revision), p.200-1 (Book). SCH7059.

<4> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 25/06/2019 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The adjacent church was originally a barn dating from the seventeenth century. This may suggest that the original timber framed house was of a similar date.

<5> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 84/2, 1849 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts the hall with gardens to the south and west. To the immediate south-east is a possible yard or courtyard with a number of small buildings. To the immediate north-east are the stables, coach house (possibly already converted to a chapel) and another range of buildings (now demolished).

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6059, 1874-1875 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

The hall has been extended at its north-western corner.

<7> Royal Air Force, 1944-1947, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review, CPE/UK/1935 no.1169, 17/01/1947 (Aerial Photograph). SCH8041.

The house and associated buildings are visible on this aerial photograph.

<8> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey, Run 25 no.1888-9, 16/05/1973 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

The house has been demolished.

<9> Bagshaw S, 1850, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of the County Palatine of Chester, p.599 (Book). SCH383.

‘…Calveley Hall is an ancient, but elegant mansion, embosomed in foliage, and delightfully situated in a small, but well timbered park. The interior contains some beautiful carved oak furniture, and several of the windows are exquisitely adorned with stained glass…’

<10> St Boniface Church, 1954-2016, The Parish Link, May 2000 (Newsletter). SCH8717.

Calveley Hall was used as a hospital during the First World War and as a home for evacuees during the Second World War after which the hall remained empty. In 1951 the hall was suffering from dry rot and was no longer habitable. It was demolished in 1952.

<11> Cheshire Archives & Local Studies, Chester History & Heritage and Cheshire Libraries, Various, Cheshire Image Bank, Ref. c11419 (Web Site). SCH8053.

A photograph of the Calveley Hall meet c.1910 to 1919 with the hall in the background. This is probably the northern elevation.