Building record 2758/1/0 - Site of Shrewbridge Hall ( Later Brine Baths Hotel) and Gardens

<1> Hall J, 1883, A History of the Town and Parish of Nantwich or Wich-Malbank in the County Palatine of Chester, p.241-2 (Book). SCH80.

In 1829 Mr. Bott pulled down the old farm-house at Shrewbridge Farm, and on its site built a handsome mansion of white stone, (for many years locally known as Bott's Hall), surrounded it with ornamental pleasure grounds at a cost of about £10,000; and further increased the estate by various purchases to 108 acres. The Hall and estate were purchased in 1878 by J. M. Bennett, Esq., of Manchester, for £15,000; who endeavoured, but failed, to sell it to a Company, for converting the Hall into a Sanitorium with Brine Baths, which scheme finally collapsed in Sept. 1880. The preceeding farm supplied bread, butter, cheese, milk, vegetables, etc. for sthe apprentices engaged at the Cotton Factory.

<2> Nantwich Museum, Undated, Nantwich Museum Display (Other Interpretation Materials). SCH2238.

The hall formed the nucleus of the brine baths hotel which was opened in 1894.

<3> Nantwich Museum, 2023, Nantwich Museum Website, Accessed 14/12/2023 (Web Site). SCH9521.

This building is where Shrewbridge Farm originally was. Michael Bott, who was the owner of Nantwich Mill, had the farm demolished and built a white stone mansion (called Shrewbridge Hall) for his new bride. The Nantwich Brine and Medical Bath Company later converted it into a hotel, and the Brine Baths Hotel opened in 1893. During the Second World War, the hotel became an army base and then accommodation for Women's Auxiliary Air Force (W.A.A.F.) personnel. It closed as a hotel in 1947 and became a convalescent home for miners a year later. It closed after four years and was put up for sale. When no buyer could be found, it was demolished in 1959.

<4> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Watson M, 14/12/2023 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Grid reference updated from SJ 6574 5083 to the location identified on historic Ordnance Survey maps (see 5 & 6).

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6551, 1876-1877 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

Shrewbridge Hall shown on this map within landscaped gardens

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6551, 1898 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

Brine Baths Hotel marked on this map within landscaped gardens