Building record 15585 - Hillside House and Garden, Helsby

<1> Various, Written Communication to the HER, 22/07/2020 Pearson, B (Written Communication). SCH3756.

Hillside has its origins in the late-Georgian period. It is first mentioned and shown on maps around the time that Helsby Quarry began operations, to which it has been linked as the potential Quarry Managers cottage. A sandstone ‘2 up 2 down’ was extended further in sandstone to create a larger house. The house was extended in phases throughout the 19th Century and became an important residence in the village.

The house was approached through sandstone gate posts, which still stand, at the Northern edge of the garden off Quarry Road and there was a drive to the house which is shown on some maps but is not visible on the ground today.

The garden is tucked down on the Western flanks of Helsby Hill. The garden covers approximately 1.25 acres and is split about 40% lawn and 60% wooded hillside. There are 4 sets of sandstone steps in the lower part of the garden, one leading up to the house and garden from Stephen’s Grove. There is no vehicular access to Hillside. On the hill there exists a network of paths, connected by sandstone steps that runs to about 250m. There is a similar length of sandstone dry-stone walls up to 2m tall that retain the hill. There are a number of man-made rocky outcrops which we have uncovered and probably a number still to find.

19th century pottery found in and around the location of the old Hillside Cottage ( a demolished building with the grounds)

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

Building shown in this location

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ4874, 1872 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

Building shown as Hillside Villa in same location with larger footprint. Various paths and trees illustrated in the grounds