Monument record 1298/3/0 - Tatton Landscape Park

The park is mentioned by Leland and shown on Speed's map of 1610 (probably associated with the Old Hall (CHER: 1298/1/1). An anecdote is related by Leicester of a fine being inflicted for chasing and destroying the deer in the reign of Henry VI. The park is one of the largest in the country, shown by Speed enclosing c.2500 acres and with a circumference of over 10 miles. It was enlarged c.1860 and in 1867 was reported to hold 800 fallow and 40 red deer (1). 18th century landscape park of 765ha, containing 19th century & 20th century formal & informal gardens of 20ha. William Emes prepared scheme for the park in 1768. Repton was asked to advise but little was implemented apart from a drive. Principal features of park are Tatton Mere and Melchett Mere. Ornamental gardens of 19th century & 20th century date to south and south west of house, including Palm House, Orangery, maze, Japanese Garden & Italian Garden (1). In 1958 Tatton passed to the National Trust. It is now financed and managed by Cheshire County Council on behalf of the National Trust.

The whole of the boundary of Tatton Park was ditch and wooden fencing until the early 19th century when a more durable boundary was erected between 1820 and 1834 around two thirds of the boundary. This consisted of three types of walling - brick walling with stone coping, rusticated stone walling, and iron railings set in low brickwork. (3)

During the second half of the 18th century Tatton was transformed from the mainly agricultural landscape described in the previous chapter to a park where deer and cattle roamed almost unrestrained. Agriculture was widely established across the township and there were several fixtures that would need to be removed to create the complete par landscape. Among other things there were two mills, a number of houses and established hedgerows in profusion. In understanding the 18th century emparkment it is important to recognise that some areas were more significant than others. In particular the section of township lying between the knutsford boundary and the new hall would have been a focus of special interest: it was clearly important that visitors coming from Knutsford should have a good early impression of the estate. So it was that Samuel Egerton came to look at this area first. (3)

<1> English Heritage, 2001, Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, 1985 (Report). SCH2822.

<2> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, p.344-48 OR p.439-46 (Book). SCH1389.

<3> Higham N.J., Aylett P,. Smith J.H., 2001, The Tatton Park Project, Part 3: The Post-Medieval Estate and Halls; Grandeur to Decline, p.100-109 (Article in Journal). SCH4938.

<4> Shirley, E P, 1867, Some account of English deer parks, with notes on the management of deer, /206 (Book). SCH1108.

<5> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 20/25 Harrison W 1902 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<6> Parklands Consortium Ltd, 2002, Tatton Park Survey, Knutsford, Cheshire: Historic Landscape Appraisal. Volume 1, 2.6.2.1. (Report). SCH4977.

<7> Hussey, John, 1974, Redrawing of 1733 Hussey Tatton Estate Map (Maps and Plans). SCH4969.

<8> Earl, John, 1787, A Map of Tatton Park and Tatton Hall - The Seat of William Egerton Esquire. (Maps and Plans). SCH4967.

<9> Broad, Thomas, c.1800-1816, A Map of Tatton Park, The Property of William Egerton Esq.. (Maps and Plans). SCH4964.

<10> Repton, H, 1792, Red Book (Book). SCH4956.

<11> Higham N J, 1984-9, Professor Nick Higham's Aerial Photographs, J87/2/5-6 (Aerial Photograph). SCH7659.