Monument record 1233 - Bexton Hall & Forecourt Walls

Bexton Hall & Forecourt Walls, Off Bexton Lane. House, late 17th century. Brick with stone slate and slate roofs. Entrance front has five symmetrical bays, the first and fifth bays are projecting wings which are connected by a terrace. Body of house has hipped slate roof rising to flat lead-covered platform on which originally stood a lantern. At the front is a forecourt with walls c.4ft high. Interior: closed tread, dog-leg staircase. Small splat-balustered flight to former lantern. Full architectural description (1). Brief description and photograph before the removal of the lantern in (2).

The 17th century hall, later became a farmhouse and is currently a private residence in multiple ownership. The Hall and forecourt are grade II listed. The house is a square symmetrical house with a steeply hipped roof and flat viewing platform in the centre, originally having a cupola, but now surrounded by a balustrade. The outer two projecting bays on the front elevation have small hipped gables, and the two storeys are raised up on a high basement with steps up to the front door sheltered by a projecting canopy (3).

The Daniel family probably built Bexton Hall, a square house (see 4) with a walled forecourt (northern elevation), in the late 17th century.

Greeenwood's 1819 map of Cheshire marks Bexton Hall on it (5).

An 1831 Bryant's map (see 6) indicates the walled forecourt and a garden area extending SSW of the hall (3).

the tithe map c.1847 (see 10) indicates a pond east of the hall and barns to the NW (3).

An Ordnance Survey dated 1875 (see 7) shows a series of enclosures to W, S and E of hall with regularly planted trees, in addition to the walled forecourt, the pond and a depression to the west of the hall (3).

A letter dated from 1901 (see 8) from Joseph and John Beswick, Contractors and Foreign Timber Merchants to Mr Jackson, Estate Office, Tabley, refers to new buildings, including a stable (3).

A 1910 Ordnance Survey (see 9) indicates a westerly extension to the hall and additional farm buildings, also to the W, occupying one of the enclosures formerly planted with trees. Information confirmed by c.1910 plan of Bexton Hall Farm (3)

on the 23rd July 2008 planning application ref 07/3062P approved for works to the hall; landscaping proposals include the formation of a tennis court and erection of boundary walling (3).


Works carried out c.2009 resulted in refurbishment and extension of the house and conversion of the farm buildings to create 4 dwellings with new walls and contolled gated access from Bexton Lane. The central opening in the forecourt walls opposite the main entrance to the hall appears to have been widened to allow vehicular access. The approach has been newly landscaped. The garden area south of the hall appears to have been levelled and landscaped, mature oaks around the former pond being retained. A high holly hedge has been planted along the eastern boundary adjacent to the PRO and 2 CCTV cameras installed (3).

<1> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 58525 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

<2> de Figueiredo P & Treuherz J, 1988, Cheshire Country Houses, p.215-6 (Book). SCH785.

Brief description and photograph before the removal of the lantern in (2).

<3> Cheshire Gardens Trust, 2011 onwards, Research and Recording Report, Bexton Hall, Knutsford (Report). SCH6655.

<4> de Figueiredo P & Treuherz J, 1988, Cheshire Country Houses (Book). SCH785.

<5> Greenwood, C. & Greenwood J., 1819, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2115.

<6> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

<8> Joseph and Jon Beswick, 1901, letter from Joseph and Jon Beswick, Letter (Unpublished Document). SCH6859.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1911-1914, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 6 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH3843.

<10> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, c.1847, Beston Hall (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.