Building record 1806/2 - Walled Garden Adjacent to Churton Hall

<1> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 403357 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Wall to former walled garden, eighteenth century or earlier. Between two and three metres high, of brown local brick with patching and pier at south-east corner of squared red sandstone rubble. Pair of square piers of brick with moulded stone caps to former gateway to Hall, now blocked in brick. Flat brick buttresses. Parts of the wall are reduced in height, and somewhat ruinous.

<2> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.II p.746 (Book). SCH1389.

Churton Hall is an ancient timber mansion, environed with stately trees and, although long abandoned, to farmers retains much of its respectable appearance.

<3> L - P Archaeology, 1999, Archaeological Deskbased Assessment of Land at Churton Hall (Client Report). SCH5398.

The principal residence of the Barnston family. A survey of Roger Barnston's estate at Churton Hall was undertaken in 1742. Churton Hall appears to have consisted of the immediate house, garden and yards; a best garden (possibly the location of the current garden), an orchard (possibly behind the barns) and a new orchard / kitchen garden (presumably close to the house).

The garden wall is patched and repaired. The earliest bricks are unfrogged indicating an early date. Formal gates (now blocked) in the east wall lead from the walled garden into a private garden (behind the hall). The gate piers themselves are brick with moulded (though not
early) bases. The lawn is raised and was surrounded by a sunken path. Four stone steps in the east edge lead onto the lawn where the line of a possible path leading to several low steps immediately opposite survives as a parch-mark.

The level of the garden slopes significantly downwards from west to east, with a significant drop at its eastern limit. This is consistent with terracing designed to create a level lawn. The reference in Ormerod to 'stately trees' (see 2) implies a degree formality to the gardens. The listing description for the site notes that the garden. The survey of 1742 refers to a 'best garden' associated with the house which is probably the area of the walled garden.

A lone tower stands to the south of the garden area. This is abutted by the garden wall and looks (outwards) to the south. Although not a major structure, its position overlooking the open land to the south (and position within the garden wall) does indicate that the area to the north was a formal garden.