Monument record 2181/1 - Mellor's Gardens, Hough-Hole House

Garden by James Mellor, created during 2nd half of 19th C. Idea for garden is unique, it is laid out so that the visitor can relive Christian's journey to the Celestial City in Pilgrim's Progress. This book was chosen as a vehicle for the religious teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, who believed in the correspondence of the natural and spiritual worlds. Garden is in a steep sided stream valley and surrounds a small mill pool. James Mellor laid out a network of paths and planting in c.2 acres, along which the visitor could symbolically follow the hardships and choices put before Christian on his journey to the Celestial City. In garden is the Howling House, a little summerhouse set into the hillslope. Journey ends at the private chapel (Celestial City) where Mellor would preach to pilgrims. Garden was a great local attraction. House & garden remained in Mellor family until 1927. 1979 bought by Gordon & Ruth Humphreys who restored the garden structures (1 & 2).

<1> North West Landscape Group, 1985, Historic Parks and Gardens in Cheshire, /33-38 (Report). SCH1367.

<2> Turner R C, 1987, Mellor's Gardens A Victorian allegorical garden (Oral Communication). SCH2187.

<3> English Heritage, 2001, Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, 1994 (Report). SCH2822.