Building record 744/1/1 - Hulme Hall moated site

<1> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, Vol 3, p.35-37, Wilson D, 1975 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

A rescue excavation was undertaken during October in 1974 at Hulme Hall, Allostock, in advance of pipe-laying from the house to a septic tank. A trench was laid along the proposed line of the pipe and, once the topsoil had been removed, a number of destruction layers were observed containing pieces of roofing stone, glass fragments, brick rubble, thick plaster pieces and thin plaster coated with probable lime wash. No timber was found although there were charcoal scatters at the southern end of the trench. Beneath the thin plaster layer, at a depth of circa 1m, a well laid brick floor, showing little wear, was encountered. This ran up to what had been the western wall of a building, indicated by a rubble filled foundation trench. A small part of the southern wall was also exposed. Three upright flagstones, possibly supports, were found at the southern end of the trench. Also, four worked sandstone blocks were observed following the line of the southern end of the building; these may have marked the position of a door. The small amount of pottery recovered from the destruction layers were mostly Staffordshire ware of various types including coarse ware, thrown slip ware, press-moulded ware and mottled manganese-glazed ware; dating lies between 1650-1740. Other finds included clay pipe stem pieces and one pipe bowl of the same date as the pottery, also some heavily corroded nails.
Site has a long history of occupation, beginning as the seat of the Grosvenor family and then passing on to the Shakerleys towards the end of the 15th century.

<2> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Vol 2, 6 (Report). SCH1934.

Building now a farmhouse with 15th century origins, 17th and 19th century alterations and additions. Brown brick with stone slate and a Welsh Slate roof. The later brown brick exterior walls enclose medieval and 17th century work including moulded beams in the Entrance Hall and Dining Room and original roof timbers in the attic. (See also source 3)

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, 1980, SJ77SW2 (Index). SCH2487.

The surrounding moat is water filled and has been mutilated in places.

<4> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol 2, p.217-218 (Book). SCH3228.

Various parts of the ancient hall of Hulme are named in 1429 the lesser chamber, le pantre, le buttre, the larder, le Deyhouse, le Malthouse, le… berne, le Hayberne, le Vyne Yorde, le Night'gale Erber (the nightingale arbour) le Lytell Erber, the bridge

<5> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 3, p.149+153 (Book). SCH1389.

<6> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, R.C.Turner, 1986 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Foundations of the earlier H-plan house can be seen in the garden of the present farmhouse.

<7> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, Vol 25, p.153, W.Harrison, 1907 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<8> Hanshall, J. H., 1817-1823, The History of the County Palatine of Chester, p.604 (Book). SCH1382.

<9> Lysons D & Lysons S, 1806-22, Magna Britannia, Lysons D & S, 1810, 2/536 (Book). SCH2066.

<10> Fletcher Moss, 1901, Pilgrimages in Cheshire & Shropshire, p.27-28 (Book). SCH2638.

<11> White, F, 1860, Whites History, Directory & Gazetteer of Cheshire, p.271 (Book). SCH1452.

<12> Angus-Butterworth, LM, 1932, Old Cheshire Families and their Seats, p.69 (Book). SCH2321.

<13> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, Vol 84, p.147-53, D.Wilson, 1992 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<14> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 13491 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

Hulme Hall stands upon an island c.60m x 54m surrounded by a waterlogged moat c.10-30m wide and 1.5m deep with a 10m square projection at the southern corner. Access is via a causeway on SE arm and bridge of 15C origin across NE arm. Hall began as seat of Grosvenor family and passed to the Sharkleys during 15C. Present hall has 15C origins with 17C & 19C alterations and additions.

<15> Arnold AJ, Howard RE & Litton CD, 2003, Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers from Hulme Hall, Allostock, Near Northwich, Cheshire., R2661 (Report). SCH4775.

Eighty one core samples were taken from timbers from locations around the site, yielding two sets (out of four) chronologies that could be accurately dated.

<16> Cheshire County Council, 2006, Case file on unauthorised works at Hulme Hall (Paper Archive). SCH5220.

In 2006, unauthorised building works to the Scheduled monument took place, involving the removal of floor levels within the building, causing damage to the archaeology beneath the structure of the hall. An investigation by Cheshire County Council into possible enforcement recognised that damage to the archaeology had been caused but on considering the evidence, a decision was made tht the evidnece was not clear enough to form a realistic prospect of conviction.

<17> Matrix Archaeology, 2006, Hulme Hall, Allostock, Vale Royal, Chester, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, R2627 (Client Report). SCH4672.

<18> Historic England, 2011, The National Heritage List for England, 1160324 (Web Site). SCH6528.

Hulme Hall, GV II* : Farmhouse with C15 origins, C17 and C19 alterations and additions. Brown brick with stone slate and Welsh slate roof. 2 storeys and attic and 2 storeys. Asymmetrical plan. Entrance front (north-east) three gabled bays. Garden Front (north-west) 5 bays with the two south-west bays stepped back in two stages. The south-east highest section of the farmhouse appears externally to be the oldest for it is in C17 style brickwork with projecting brick plinth and stone coping with kneelers. The windows generally are 2-to-3-light casements with stone sills and cambered arches. The Entrance Front door is ledged and battened on strap hinges and there is a four-panel half glazed door, in an added lean-to porch to the garden front. There are gable-end stacks to the C17 section and barge boards to the entrance front gables. Interior: The Entrance Hall contains a massive moulded spine beam intersecting two deep cambered beams one of which is moulded and the other plain, carried by a wall. There are exposed beams in the Dining Room and other rooms in the C17 section of the house. Ledged and battened doors on strap hinges. The staircase has splat balusters and there are C17 style doors at first floor level. Some original roof timbers visible in the attic. The house is surrounded by a moat.