Building record 609/1 - Holcroft Hall

Holcroft Hall, Hey Shoot Lane, Culcheth.Medieval Manor House. Manor was originally part of Culcheth, but was formed on the death of Gilbert de Culcheth in 1246, when Culcheth was divided between his four daughters. Holcroft was the share of Joan de Culcheth, who married Thomas de Hindley, later called de Holcroft.In 1642 the Manors of Holcroft and Peasefurlong were held by the Erdwick family, but ten years later were back with the Holcrofts.Holcroft descended with the Tyldesleys until 1761, after which there is no trace (1). Holcroft Hall was for years the abode of the Holcrofts, traffickers in monastic property in the reign of Henry VIII and the owners of Great and Little Woolden in 1595 (2). Present building is substantially late 15th-early 16th century and of timber framing and enlarged 18th century with subsequent alterations. Rendered brick exterior with slate roof. Moulded and bevelled beams in interior, original roof trusses and priest hole. Maud Holcroft said to have married Captain Blood from this house (3). Full architectural description (4) and (5). To north of Hall is a broad ditch running east-west. Now largely filled with building rubble. Superficially like an arm of a moat, but dug into sand, with no obvious returns (9). Inquisition Post Mortem of Sir Edward Fitton of Gawsworth, died 1606, gives description of contents of hall (8).

Holcroft appears to be associated with the Colcheth water mills on the river Glazebrook. The estate which can be traced from the mid 13th century is represented in one quarter of Culcheth and included the Mill Houses. It was held after the death of Gilbert de Culcheth c.1246 by Thomas de Hindley. In 1549 John Holcrofts estate included 2 water mills. Sir John Holcroft's will notes his new house with a buttery, in his occupation, together with 'my house at Holcroft' which included the Corral Chamber, little chamber next to the corner chamber, 'Medull' chamber, green chamber, great chamber called the 'Dining Parlour' and two 'Highest chambers' over the gate one of which was the parlour of the 'heyst' chamber. The present building is partly set on a sandstone plinth course and the wall construction is said to be rubble-plastered. It is believed to date from the late 15th/early 16th century and is noted a timber framed. However a 14th century style window is set into an internal sandstone wall. The Inquisition Post Mortem of Sir Edward Fitton of Gawsworth gives a description of the contents of the hall. Though the status of the property is entirely comparable with that of the moated houses elsewhere in Culcheth a moat is only merely possible. A wide depression on the north of the house is believed to have been dug into sand and is partly filled with building debris. A second linear feature east and south of the house is recorded in 1849 (OS 6 '' map sheet 109). Possibly these features are associated with medieval water mills and are not therefore firm evidence of a moat (10).

<1> Farrer W & Brownbill J, 1906-14, The Victoria County History of the County of Lancaster, 4/156 + 160 1911 (Book). SCH3636.

<2> Baines, Edward, 1868-91, The History of The County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Baines E 1836 3/632 (Book). SCH1442.

<3> Croston, History of Lancashire (Book). SCH1426.

<4> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /2/17 (Report). SCH1934.

<5> Department for the Environment, Various, Provisional List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /3/3/11 1962 (Report). SCH2744.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ69NE8/1959 (Index). SCH2487.

<7> Lymm & District Local History Society, Various, Lymm & District Local History Society - Newsletter, Hughes E M 1978 1/Part III/1-7 (Newsletter). SCH2040.

<8> 1606, Will of Sir Edward Fitton III (Book). SCH3705.

<9> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, 1988 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<10> Lewis J, 2000, The Medieval Earthworks of the Hundred of West Derby, /211 (Monograph). SCH3778.