Category Archives: Victorian Lancashire
Worden Hall and Park, Leyland
The land at present day Worden Park was acquired by Henry Farington in 1534 and would stay with his family for over 400 years. The earliest hall on the site was called Shaw Hall and this is shown on a 1725 … Continue reading
St George’s Hall, Liverpool
In early Victorian times Liverpool was in need of two new buildings- one for an entertainment venue and another for law courts. Two independent competitions were held to find an architect for these two schemes. Harry Lonsdale Elmes, a young architect, won both, quite a coup … Continue reading
Posted in Victorian Lancashire
Tagged st george's hall liverpool floor, St Georges hall Liverpool
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
St Walburge’s Church, Maudlands, Preston
By the late 1840s many of Preston’s churches had become very overcrowded, so a decision was made to found a new one dedicated to St Walburge. It was designed by the architect Joseph Hansom, the famous designer of the original two wheeled horse drawn Hansom Cab. A huge fundraising … Continue reading
Jubilee Tower, Quernmore, near Lancaster
James Harrison was a wealthy Liverpool shipbuilder who lived in Hare Appletree, near Quernmore. To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, he did two things. In a fit of patriotism he lit a beacon on nearby Clougha Pike on the … Continue reading
Posted in Monuments, Victorian Lancashire
Tagged Jubilee tower Quernmore, Quernmore folly, Quernmore tower
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Lydiate Hall ruins, Lydiate, West Lancashire
The original Lydiate Hall was built by Lawrence 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. By the late … Continue reading
Parbold Bottle Monument, Parbold
The Parbold Bottle stands just a few minutes walk away from the stunning vista on top of Parbold Hill, a well known local viewpoint. The monument itself is curious both in terms of its history and the reason for it being built. … Continue reading
Steam Tram Turning Triangle and Twin Waiting Rooms, Darwen
Darwen had one of the first steam tram lines to operate in the whole the the country, opening in 1881. It was run by Busby Carson & Company under the name ‘Blackburn and Over Darwen Tramway Company Ltd’. The name is still remembered … Continue reading
Witton House, Witton Country Park, Blackburn
Witton House was a huge hall built and owned by the Feilden family.Wealthy textile merchants from Blackburn, they also owned nearby Woodfold Hall and Feniscowles Hall. Built in 1800s it was later extended by Joseph Feilden, who was a dominant figure in Blackburn society. … Continue reading
India Mill Chimney and Darwen’s Victorian Machinery
The chimney of India Mill still dominates the skyline of Darwen, with its Italian inspired architecture. However, it’s not the only reminder of Darwen’s mill history, as spaced along the main road through the town are a number of large pieces … Continue reading
