Building record 1806/1 - Churton Hall

<1> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 402979 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Hall, 1569 (?), oak framed, replaced in brick at rear, with grey slate roof, probably formerly thatched. Externally restored with much framing renewed; internally the plan is altered. two storeys, E-shaped. The central portion has heavy timbers, one cross-rail and narrow panels. Inner walls of cross-wings have chevron braces and the gables have lozenges and concave lozenges (probably confirming painted date on porch). Front of right gable is slightly jettied; upper part of central portion is rendered. Projecting one-storey gabled oak-framed porch right of centre has arched entrance of oak with rose; split balusters in open sides. Above the porch are two armorial bearings on octagonal plaques: to left a shield has white chevron band with three daggers or above and three below, to right white horse's head in circle. Massive lateral sandstone chimney, left; against left end is a small slate-roofed brick lean-to, probably nineteenth century; two brick ridge chimneys. Porch has painted board WB 1569 EB; massive door of three oak boards on heavy wrought iron hinges. A pair of small four-pane casements above porch; two replaced casements to each storey left of porch; wall right of porch unpierced; one replaced window to each storey in each cross-gable.

Interior: Altered ingle-nook in left parlour - an oak hood-beam now in main ceiling suggests that lateral chimney was a seventeenth century extension. Two heavy chamfered main beams of oak in rear parlour of right cross-wing. Oak boards are visible in bedroom over left parlour. Two seventeenth century panelled oak doors upstairs. Roof timbers look nineteenth century.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ 45 NW 11 1976 (Index). SCH2487.

Flush-set casements renewed or repaired. Later two-storeyed red brick wing to south, with sandstone plinth. [D.J.C. 15/10/1975] - see (4).

As previously described. Has a slate roof and modern brick chimneys. Not outstanding. [D.J.C. 15/03/1976].

<3> Pevsner N & Hubbard E, 1971, The Buildings of England: Cheshire, p.179-180 (Book). SCH3078.

Churton Hall, timber-framed with two gabled projecting end parts and a porch off-centre. It carries a date 1569. It has herringbone bracing and also concave-sided lozenges. The sides of the porch are open with flat balusters.

<4> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Tarvin RD 1962/14 (Report). SCH1934.

<5> Hartwell C, Hyde M, Hubbard E & Pevsner N, 2011, The Buildings of England: Cheshire (2011 revision), p.359 (Book). SCH7059.

Timber-framed with two gabled somewhat projecting end parts and an off centre open sided porch. Dated by a board on the house to 1569, but this is not certain. Herringbone bracing and concave sided lozenges. Heavily restored 1978-80.

<6> 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.

<7> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Land Line and Master Map Vector Maps, 01/03/2023 (Maps and Plans). SCH4491.

<8> L - P Archaeology, 1999, Archaeological Deskbased Assessment of Land at Churton Hall, p.15 (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).

<9> de Figueiredo P & Treuherz J, 1988, Cheshire Country Houses, p.225 (Book). SCH785.

Built by the Barnston family and bears their arms and crest in stucco. A loose painted board is inscribed WB 1569 EB. E shaped plan with projecting gables of different design at either end. Heavily restored 1978-80.

<10> Henderson Heritage, 2023, Heritage Impact Assessment: Churton Hall, Pump Lane, Churton, R4721 (Client Report). SCH9491.

Heritage impact assessment, compiled in 2023, in support of a proposed application for the restoration and subdivision of Churton Hall, Pump Lane, Churton. Churton Hall is a Grade II listed building located within Churton Conservation Area.

Churton Hall, now a farmhouse, is built of timber frame, brick and sandstone, has two storeys, an E-shaped plan, with a substantial lateral brick and sandstone chimney to the east side, likely to be of 17th century date. The central porch has a massive door of 3 oak boards on heavy wrought iron hinges surmounted by a painted board inscribed WB 1569 EB. Significantly, recently uncovered hidden features include three 15th century cruck frames, one with service doors facing a cross passage, which dendrochronological analysis demonstrates were felled in 1461; these represent the core of an earlier hall that was substantially remodelled and refaced. The building can be read architecturally as two separate and distinct phases – the timber framed section of the hall, and the 19th century addition to the south. Within both areas there are period features, but overall, there is a clear sequencing and hierarchy within the house, reflecting the changing of the social status of the house over many centuries. Documentation from the 1400’s shows that the Berneston (Barnston) family held the Churton estate, and they are credited with building Churton Hall. It was remodelled by William Barnston (1545-1620) and his wife, Elizabeth, ‘WB 1569 EB’.

Churton Hall’s significance is derived from its historical association with the Barnston family; the remarkable survival of the cruck frame and wattle and daub, the high quality aesthetic and historic appearance of the 16th century box frame, and other associated features; the walled garden and its association with the manor; the hall’s historical development within Churton village; and its use as a farmstead.