Building record 1235/1/1 - Holford Hall

<1> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 44/112-113 Anonymous 1927 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

Holford Hall, Off Manchester Road. The construction of Holford Hall is ascribed to Lady Mary Cholmondeley, heiress of Christopher Holford of Holford. The building appears to have consisted of three sides of a quadrangle.

<2> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 66/255-256 Wolfgang A 1914 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

In 1844, one wing collapsed and only the stone base remained. Part of this wing was rebuilt in brick. The remaining wing is decorated with four figures - a man, a lion, a beast and a grotesque head with the initials T.F.

<3> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /6/57 (Report). SCH1934.

Farmhouse, mid 17th century. Timber framed with rendered infill and stone slate roof. Entrance front: two gabled bays with Ionic pilasters supporting decorated consoles. Three horizontal bands of decorative timber panelling. Slight overhang to first floor, which also has Ionic pilasters and decorated consoles, as well as three bands of timber framing. Rear has stone plinth and close studding. Full architectural description.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ77NW2/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<5> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 23/161 1907 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<6> de Figueiredo P & Treuherz J, 1988, Cheshire Country Houses, /242-3 (Book). SCH785.

Photo shows timber framed NE wing in close-studding with middle rail demolished in the 1880's.

<7> Philips N G, 1893, Views of the Old Halls of Lancashire and Cheshire, /119 (Oral Communication). SCH3660.

<8> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Turner R C 1988 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Remarkable twin- gabled with first floor above a timber arcaded walkway. Very long mullioned and transomed window to the 1st floor. Seems to have been an addition to the surviving wing. Interior now has few early features. However, party walls to entrance passage appear to be close-studded and may have formed the original screens passage. A mid C18th deposition concerning Holford Hall, made by Robert Cholmondley, exisits in the Exchequer records in the PRO (Chancery Lane) Catalogue Nos. E134 5 Geo 2, trin 4 and Trin 8.

<9> Gifford and Partners, 1990, An Assessment of the Archaeological Deposits in a Trial Area at Holford Hall, Plumley., R2005 (Client Report). SCH4200.

Archaeological evaluation undertaken in 1990 in advance of development work at Holford Hall, Plumley. A medieval moated site comprising a 16th century Grade II listed building surrounded by a moat, now partly filled. A late 17th century Grade II listed sandstone bridge crosses the moat to the north-east of the hall, whilst to the north and north-west are fishponds and the site of a medieval corn mill. The original north wing of the house collapsed in 1844 and was replaced with a brick wing, with outbuildings, it was this wing which was was subject to demolition.

Two trenches were excavated to subsoil, a maximum depth of 0.67m below the present ground surface. The only archaeological features discovered in trench 1 were a single stakehole cut into the natural boulder clay and the foundation stones of the original north wing which remained up to three courses in depth set in a clay deposit above the natural boulder clay. Also recorded were several build up layers containing brick, tile and stone rubble and lenses of clay. In trench 2 layers of ash and rubble were found to overlie the natural boulder clay with possible evidence of a paved area which may have provided access to the coal bunker.

<10> Thompson A, 1990, Assessment of the Archaeological Deposits in a Trial Area at Holford Hall (Book). SCH379.

<11> Cheshire County Council, 1992-1995, Cheshire Past, 1/24 Cheshire County Council 1991 (Newsletter). SCH870.

<12> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 13498 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

Farmhouse. Mid C17. Timber framing with rendered infill and stone slate roof. 2 storeys with attic. Entrance front: 2 gabled bays with Ionic pilasters to centre and left at ground floor level supporting consoles, that to left decorated with carving of lion in relief, that to centre with a figurehead. Doorway to left of centre, 6-light casement window to left 4-light window to right. 3 horizontal bands of decorative timber panelling. Lowest band being strutting with 2 rows of cells containing diamond patterns of 1/4 circles. Slight overhang to first floor. 2 Ionic pilasters as below with decorated bases and consoles, the central console having figure with spread knees, that to left having crouching animal in relief. 3 horizontal bands of timber framing, lowest bond - 14 cells of framing with ogee-shaped struts. Above this 3 panels of 2 x 2 cells of small framing containing diamond patterns of 1/4 circles. 7-light casement windows to right and left, originally taller. Gables have ogee strutting and originally each contained a 4-light casement window, now blocked. C19 wing to right. Left hand side: small framing with angle struts, originally an internal wall. Rear: stone plinth, close studding to left with large chimney breast to left of centre. Projecting central gable wing with close studding and middle rail to first floor. C19 pointed arched window to ground floor left.

<13> Gifford and Partners, 1994, Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at Holford Hall, Plumley, Cheshire, R2061 (Client Report). SCH4136.

Watching brief undertaken in 1994 during ground disturbance works carried out as part of the construction of a two storey extension to the hall. A former south wing to the west range of the hall was identified dating to the 17th or 18th century. A general deposit of clay pre-dating the present hall was also identified. This possibly represents a platform built from clay excavated from the moat which may be medieval date. Beneath the clay deposit was a dark soil deposit thought to be the soil present on the site prior to the excavation of the moat and therefore also possibly medieval in date.

<14> Gifford and Partners, 1996, Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at Holford Hall, Plumley, Cheshire, R2120 (Client Report). SCH4090.

Watching brief undertaken in 1996 during ground disturbance works carried out as part of the construction of a two storey extension to the hall. The full extent of the 17th century north wing remains, including a 17th century chimney breast, were revealed and found to be directly associated with the standing bridge (monument 1235/1/3). A platform was also identified as formed prior to the construction of the north wing, raising the retained area to that of the surrounding ground level.

<15> Leith Planning Ltd, 2019, Heritage Impact Assessment: The Barn (The Holford Estate, Holford Hall), off Chester Road, Plumley, Knutsford, WA16 0UA, R4385 (Client Report). SCH8804.

A heritage impact assessment was produced in 2019 in support of an application for an extension to a barn at Holford Hall, off Chester Road, Plumley. The barn, which is not listed, lies to the north of the Grade II* listed hall and its associated Grade II listed stone bridge. The moated site on which the hall is located is also a scheduled ancient monument, although the barn lies to the north of the scheduled area. (See source 16 for the later, updated version of the heritage assessment)

<16> Leith Planning Ltd, 2020, Heritage Impact Assessment: The Barn (The Holford Estate, Holford Hall), off Chester Road, Plumley, Knutsford, WA16 0UA, R4419 (Client Report). SCH8857.