Category Archives: Stuart Lancashire
Turton Tower, Chapeltown, Near Bolton
In the early 1400s a Pele tower was built on a high commanding spot in Turton. It was a three story rectangular defendable structure, with four foot thick walls and narrow windows. This was a turbulent time with the possibility of raiders coming down … Continue reading
Towneley Hall, Burnley
The first hall was built at Towneley in 1380 and was a large open barn-like medieval building, similar to the ones still seen at Smithills in Bolton and Warton Old Rectory near Carnforth. Seventy years later the huge south wing with its very thick … Continue reading
Stonyhurst Hall and College
Richard Shireburn inherited the estate at Stonyhurst in 1537. He decided to do away with most of the medieval buildings to construct a bigger, grander hall. He held important posts in the county- at various times he was a magistrate, … Continue reading
Smithills Hall, Bolton
In 1335 William de Radcliffe acquired the manor of Smithills. During the early years there would only have been the medieval Great Hall on the site, which still exists there today. It is a large rectangular stone building and in here the family and … Continue reading
Lytham Hall, Lytham
In 1606 Cuthbert Clifton bought the site of Lytham Hall and 5,500 acres of land from the Molyneux family. He ordered the old manor house to be levelled so that he could have a new one built. This Jacobean house still exists today, connected … Continue reading
Lydiate Hall ruins, Lydiate, West Lancashire
The original Lydiate Hall was built by Laurence Ireland sometime in the 15oos. He had exchanged his land at Garston (near Liverpool) for estates at Lydiate and Maghull. The original hall he built was a single range, possibly made of stone. He was also … Continue reading
Wycoller Hall, Wycoller Country Park, near Colne
The ruins of Wycoller Hall are the standing remains of a house with a lot of history, that has been continually added to and rebuilt over many years. Towards the end of this blog is a short guide, describing what can be … Continue reading
Astley Hall, Astley, near Chorley
The first part of this grand hall was built sometime after 1576 by the Charnock family, when their original home in nearby Charnock Richard burnt down. Astley Hall today contains Tudor, Stuart and Georgian architecture that reflects the times and building tastes of … Continue reading
Heskin Hall, Heskin, Chorley
From the moment you pass in between the two huge gate posts at the driveway entrance to Heskin Hall, you know it is going to be an impressive residence. The gate posts are some three metres high and are of the renaissance … Continue reading
