Building record 15632 - Astbury Rectory

<1> Historic England, 2011, The National Heritage List for England, 1138744 (Web Site). SCH6528.

Rectory. Mid C18 probably 1757-9. 'Altered' by William Baker of Highfields. Red Flemish bond brick with ashlar dressings and a slate roof. Two storeys with attic and basement. The entrance front is of 5 bays symmetrically disposed with a later crescent wing to the left hand side and the remains of a similar wing at right. Ashlar basement with porthole windows. The central portion has 3 projecting central bays. To the centre above a flight of 9 steps is an ashlar door surround of Venetian form, with double doors to the centre and lateral lights and above this is an open pediment supported on brackets. To either side of this are ground floor windows of 3 x 4 sash panes with wedge lintels and projecting keystones. Between the floors is an ashlar band on which rest the first floor windows, all being of 3 x 4 sash panes with wedge lintels and projecting keystones. Above is a string course. The attic has 5 windows of 3 x 2 panes with wedge lintels and projecting keystones. Dentilled cornice above and a central pedimental gable above the central 3 bays with ashlar surround and ball finials to the corners and apex. To the hipped roof at left are 2 chimney stacks joined by an arch and there was a similar arrangement at right of which only one stack remains. The rear has 5 bays symmetrically disposed. Ashlar plinth and ashlar band at the level of the sills of the ground floor windows which are of 3 x 4 sash panes and have wedge lintels with projecting keystones, as have all the windows on this front. Five similar windows to the first floor. The attic also has five bays with sash windows of 3 x 2 panes. Moulded cornice to the top of the wall with dentils. Ball finials to the corners.

William Baker's notebook refers to him carrying out 'alterations' here although the whole building is reminiscent of his work at Hankelow Hall, Hankelow C.P., Crewe and Nantwich (q.v.).

<2> Cheshire Gardens Trust, 2011 onwards, Research and Recording Report, Report dated 21.09.12 (Report). SCH6655.

Research and survey carried out on the historic landscape and gardens of Astbury Rectory.

Summary
An 18th C Rectory with associated kitchen/servants wing, stables (now in separate ownership)
and gardens which retain their mid C19 layout and much Victorian planting (evergreens).
Although no longer part of the Rectory grounds, its former parkland remains largely intact.

Principal remaining features
• C18 ha-ha between park and garden
• Parkland, probably of early C18 origin, with old trees of mid C19 tree planting
• Garden: 1850s layout of lawn, paths and shrubberies, with associated orchard