Building record 1499/1 - Handforth Hall

<1> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 414655 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

The home of Sir William Brereton, Parliamentary commander in the North-West. Manor house: dated 1562 for Sir Urian Brereton some early seventeenth century alterations and successive restorations. Timber framed on sandstone plinth, Kerridge stone-slate roof, stone ridge and two brick chimneys. Probably E-shaped or possibly quadrangular in plan at full extent, now one range. Two-storey, five-bay front. Central bay is a two-storey porch under a coved gable with an entrance with ornately carved jambs and inscription on the lintel reading

"THIS HAULLE WAS BUYLDED IN THE YEARE OF OUR LORD GOD MCCCCCLXll BY URYAN BRERETON KNIGHT WHOM MARYED MARGARET DAUGHTER AND HEYRE OF WYLLYAM HANDFORTH OF HANDFORTHE ESQUYER AND HAD ISSUE VI SONNES AND II DAUGHTERS".

Behind porch is a four-centred arched entrance with twentieth century door. Above is coving with pierced quatrefoils, a motif repeated at the eaves. First storey has a two-light mullioned and transomed window partly with original leaded glazing. Above window is diamond pattern timbering continuing across the whole front and cross motif in the gable. Right end bay is a similar projection but with no door and left end bay has no coving as there was another range joined at this point. Original or copied two and three-light mullioned and transomed windows throughout. To rear are two long wood mullioned windows to former great hall and chevroning throughout. Left end is a similar two-storey projection with ornate carving on tiebeam of gable. One-storey addition at east end. Interior: Entrance into screens passage where one post has black painted interlace decoration. To right is former great hall (now divided into two rooms). Chamfered ceiling beams, one resting on a carved bracket. Stone fireplace brought from Yorkshire. Arcade of three entrances on left side of screens passage, two with elliptical heads of early seventeenth century, far one is original four-centred head to ‘chapel’. Central opening to very fine oak well staircase with two levels of open Jacobean arcaded panelling, square newels with carved finials. In stairwell, balustrade has two gates to deep recess, probably for a watch dog. On landing is pair of Jacobean three-panel doors with strapwork in the top panel. These open to antechambers with a wall completely covered with chevron timberwork, (one contains a blocked original doorway). Main chamber lies beyond and has been divided into two.

<2> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, Vol X p.176-180 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

In 1849 the excavation for a drain in front of the hall revealed human bones and fragments of wood thought to be from coffins. Grave stones are reputed to have survived near to the hall, which is thought to occupy the site of a former chapel and graveyard

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ88 SE4 (Index). SCH2487.

Handforth Hall is a black and white, gabled building inscribed: 'This haulle was buylded In the years of oure Lord God MCCCCClxii, by Uryan Beretoun, Knight...'. The interior has been adapted for use as a farmhouse but retains a good specimen of an early seventeenth century oak staircase. Much of the outside black and white work may be of recent date. Sir Urian held various offices under the Crown, temp. Henry VIII to Elizabeth I. The house retains some original features but not an outstanding example of its period. [AO (FI) 03/07/1964].

<4> de Figueiredo P & Treuherz J, 1988, Cheshire Country Houses, p.107-110 (Book). SCH785.

<5> Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 1849 onwards, Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, Vol II p.4-54 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3800.