Building record 197/1/0 - Willaston Old Hall or Chaneux Hall

Willaston Old Hall or Chaneux Hall was the home of the Chanu or Cheyney family from at least 1316. In 1515 the manor was sold to 2 of the younger sons of the Brokes of Leighton. In 1530 the Brokes sold 'The capital place or mease place called Chanuez Hall in Wixst'ston' to the Sneyd family. The Sneyds held the lands in Willaston, but resided in Keele, Staffs. Many documents relating to Cheyney Hall and its tenants can be found in the Sneyd Papers at Keele University Library. The Old Hall was abandoned and the site reverted to agriculture when John Bayley built the present Willaston Hall in 1731 (1). Site part-excavated in advance of Nantwich by-pass and as a result very little probably survives (3).

<1> Cheshire County Council, 1990, Rescue Excavation & Watching Brief at the Medieval Moated Site of Willaston Old Hall (Client Report). SCH2859.

<2> Cheshire County Council, 1992-1995, Cheshire Past, 1/16-17 Reynolds S 1992 (Newsletter). SCH870.

<3> Cheshire Historic Environment Record, 1990-1992, MPP Scoring Form, 1993 Robinson K D (Unpublished Document). SCH2222.