Bank Hall
Bank Hall | |
---|---|
Location | Bretherton, Lancashire, England |
Coordinates | 53°40′32″N 2°48′54″W / 53.6756°N 2.8151°W |
Area | 18 acres (7.3 ha) [Gardens] |
Built | 1608 |
Built for | William/Henry Banastre (1608) George Anthony Legh Keck (1832) |
Demolished | (North East Wing ~ approx 1940) |
Rebuilt | 18th century (?) 19th century (1832–1833) |
Restored | July 2017 – September 2020 |
Architect | George Webster 1832 [Renovation] |
Architectural style(s) | Jacobean |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
Type | English Heritage |
Designated | 22 October 1952 |
Reference no. | 1362113 |
Location in the Borough of Chorley |
Bank Hall is a
Legh Keck died in 1860 and the estates passed to Thomas Powys, 3rd Baron Lilford. The contents were auctioned in 1861 and the hall used as a holiday home and later leased to tenants. During the Second World War the Royal Engineers used it as a control centre. After the war the estate was returned to the Lilfords whose estate offices moved to the east wing of the house until 1972 when the house was vacated. The building was used as a location for the 1969 film The Haunted House of Horror.
The house was vandalised causing rapid deterioration. In 1995 the Bank Hall Action Group (now Friends of Bank Hall) was formed to raise public awareness, collect funds, host events and clear the overgrown grounds. In 2003 Bank Hall was the first building to be featured in the BBC's Restoration television series. Since 2006 the action group and Urban Splash have planned to restore the house as apartments retaining the gardens, entrance hall and clock tower for public access and the Heritage Trust for the North West (HTNW) plans to renovate the potting sheds and walled gardens.
History
For centuries Bank Hall was the manorial home of a branch of the Banastre family, lords of the manor descended from the
A structure from the time of Elizabeth I is recorded on Christopher Saxton's map from 1579.[4] In 1608 the Banastres built the first phase of the present hall and demolished the old building. The hall was constructed to a Jacobean style, rectangular in plan with two rooms to the east, a room and staircase to the west and a grand hall in the centre containing a screen and fireplace. It is possible that there may have been a timber structure where the east wing stands and other wooden wings that were replaced as the house was extended. Recorded in the 1666 Hearth tax, of the 99 hearths in Bretherton, Bank Hall had 12.[5]
The last of the Banastres, Christopher who was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1670, died in 1690 leaving two daughters. The property was inherited by the eldest, Anne who married Thomas Fleetwood. He planned to drain the surrounding marsh lands.[6] He made the first unsuccessful attempt to drain Martin Mere in 1692. In 1714 the channel was improved and floodgates kept back the high tides.[7] Their daughter, Henrietta Maria, married Thomas Legh of Lyme Park and the estate passed to the Leghs.[5] In 1719 Henrietta Maria Legh donated land on which to build St Mary's Church, Tarleton.[8]
George Anthony Legh Keck moved from Stoughton Grange in Leicestershire on inheriting the estate. He was the last resident owner and commissioned a Kendal architect, George Webster, to extend the hall in 1832–1833.[9] Legh Keck collected stuffed animals and birds and horns from animal from around the world. He owned a collection of classical style statuettes and casts of figures by the sculptor Antonio Canova.
In April 1861, a year after Legh Keck's death, the hall's contents were sold at auction. A catalogue survives and lists the items by room.[10] The house and estate passed to his brother-in-law, Thomas Littleton Powys, fourth Baron Lilford,[11] whose family seat was Lilford Hall in Northamptonshire.[12] Bank Hall was used as a holiday home by the Lilfords until 1899. The estate remains part of the Lilford Estates and is managed by a land agent, Acland Bracewell in Tarleton.[13] However, in 2017 the hall and gardens and adjoining orchard were signed over to the Heritage Trust for the North West on a 999-year lease so that restoration work could begin.
Tenants
The colliery owner
The Aga Khan III visited the hall during the Seddon-Brown occupancy, as did King Fuad and Prince Farouk of Egypt during their visit to Lancashire.[17]
During the
Architecture
Bank Hall, built in the Jacobean style in 1608, is a
The clock tower which rises to a height of 60 feet (18 m), was built between 1660 and 1665 and remodelled in 1832–1833.
Decorative features include lavish stonework and
The house once had a pair of 12-foot (3.7 m) concrete statues (thought to be of a gothic floral design, with the Legh Keck symbols on the base) near the front porch that were destroyed and a sundial, which has been lost. A pair of lion statues from Atherton Hall that stood by the front porch were moved to the Lilford Estate offices in Tarleton.[13]
Interiors
Little is known about the interior before the renovations of 1832–1833, when the great hall was divided into an entrance hall with a marble floor and a dining room with a grand fireplace. A ground floor room in the north wing was panelled with oak from nearby
Legh Keck collected sculptures and antiques; the hall was furnished with
Condition
The building has been vandalised and deteriorated as a result of the theft of lead from the roof. In the early 1980s, the Lilford Trust applied for planning permission to turn the house and grounds into a country club and golf course without success. A large mural painted on the wall of the drawing room was destroyed when the west wing roof collapsed in the 1980s.
In 1952 Bank Hall was granted Grade II* listed building status.[26] In 2002 it was in the 22% of buildings in the UK at immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric.[27] and is on the Buildings at Risk Register[28] described as in very bad condition and priority B for restoration and conservation.[29] In 2010, the house was in a ruinous state.[30] The west wing roof and north-east corner of the clock tower collapsed in the early 1980s, losing a clock face and three-quarters of the statues from the battlements.[31] In 2001 listed building consent was granted for structural work to the tower,[32] Three of the decorative corner pinnacles remain but the west elevation has a crack held together by scaffolding installed in 2002 during emergency repairs funded by the action group and English Heritage.[33] At that time, the remains of the clock mechanism were removed and the fallen statues and clock face parts put into storage. In 2006 an attic water tank crashed through the floors in the oldest part of the building causing damage to the roof, a front gable and the rooms below. On 26 July 2007 BBC Breakfast featured the building, as one of sixteen buildings in the UK which require emergency work. A cantilevered oak staircase remains in the tower where, in 2008, part of the staircase from the south elevation collapsed, but caused no damage to the balustrade.[13]
In 2008 most of the slates were removed to prevent more gables collapsing from pressure on the walls.[13] Three magnolia trees are growing out of the foundations of the east wing and cover the exterior, which has lost two gables. The east wing contains a ground floor room with no windows, a concrete ceiling and a steel door which remains unopened since the estate offices closed in 1972.[13] In September 2010, a collapse in the west wing caused further damage to the 1832 stairwell. The rooms above the parlour were destroyed as the roof and wall collapsed and the drawing room's rear wall partially collapsed. English Heritage assessed the damage as urgent and structural work was needed to prevent further collapse.[34] In November 2011 contractors for the HTNW dismantled the north wing porch as the gable was at risk of collapse. Decorative masonry was removed for an exhibition that was held in Nelson in 2012 by the HTNW.[citation needed]
Restoration
A structural report by Urban Splash in 2009 enabled a plan for the building's interior to be developed.[40] After delays, planning permission was granted in February 2011. On 14 February 2012, a grant of £1.69 million to restore the hall starting in late 2012, was made by the Heritage Lottery Fund to the Heritage Trust for the North West (HTNW).[41][42] The HTNW has separate plans for a visitor entrance and heritage garden.[43] Planning permission to convert the potting shed and greenhouse into a visitor entrance, funded separately, was granted in December 2011.[44] A further £50,000 was awarded by WREN (a non-profit company) towards the restoration of the tower in September 2013.[45] The project was taken on by the developer Next Big Thing, who began work on the clearing of the property in July 2017, with the view of a completion date of 18 months time.[46] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project suffered delays, work was finally completed on the restoration of the house exterior in 2020, with the residential area interiors and immediate (residents) gardens to the house completed in 2021.
The Friends of Bank Hall continue to maintain the gardens, hold open days and are working towards the restoration of the gardens, that will commence with phase one of the potting shed restoration.
Estate
The estate is crossed by the River Douglas and its embankment provides flood protection for the low-lying area. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal crosses close to the river and Grade II listed Bank Bridge carries the A59 road over river and canal. A Grade II listed warehouse is close to the bridge.
Bank Lodge, situated at a disused access road, is owned by the estate, and can be seen on the 1928 Ordnance Survey Map.[47]
Bank Hall Farm, the home farm whose
Along a carriage drive, lined with
Bank Hall Windmill built in 1741, is a Grade II listed building[49] situated between Bank Bridge and Plocks Farm.
Gardens
Bank Hall is surrounded by 18 acres (7.3 ha) of gardens, parkland and an
The oldest tree, a 550‑year‑old
A conservatory was built for Elizabeth Legh Keck in the 1830s. The walled garden, constructed in 1835, has a greenhouse and potting sheds on its north wall and a heated outdoor wall. The FBH aims to restore it into a heritage garden as part of a three-phase project. A cricket field and tennis lawns were situated beyond a ha-ha and accessed via a yew tunnel.
Film and television
The exterior was used as a location for
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
1969 | The Haunted House of Horror | Featured as a backdrop in the film as the Haunted House.[54] |
2003 | Restoration | The hall featured in the North West regional heat and was first to feature in the series.[58] |
2004 | Restoration | The programme updated progress on the hall since the first series.[59] |
2009 | Restoration Revisited | The program further updated progress since 2004.[60] |
2011 | Restoration Home | The hall and gardens were featured in the program's opening credits behind the presenter Caroline Quentin.[61] |
2012 | Britains Empty Homes | The restoration campaign featured in the show, presented by Joe Crowley, highlighting the progress of the volunteers[62] |
2012 | Gardeners' World | Carol Klein visited the hall and a clematis known as 'Old man's beard' were featured in the program.[63] |
2013 | Britains Empty Homes Revisited | An update on the restoration project was featured in the show, highlighting that work could start later in the year.[64] |
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Lancashire
- Listed buildings in Bretherton
- List of works by George Webster
References
Footnotes
- ^ Lopez, N (2009). Robert Banastre.
- ^ "The Battle Abbey Roll. With some account of the Norman lineages. Vol I, Banastre". Medieval Mosaic Ltd. 2007.
- ^ Blakeman, R (1989). ""Mab's Cross" – Legend and reality".
- ^ "Christopher Saxton's 1579 map", freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com, retrieved 16 September 2009
- ^ a b c d e f William Farrer; J Brownbill, eds. (1911), "Bretherton", A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume6, pp. 102–8, retrieved 10 July 2010 – via British History Online
- ^ Lofthouse, J. (1972) "Lancashire's Old Families", Fleetwoods and Heskeths, Pg 121
- ^ Bulpit, Rev. W. T. (1908). "Notes on Southport and District". Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
- ^ Farrer, William; Brownbill, J., eds. (1911), "Tarleton: Church", A History of the County of Lancaster, Victoria County History, vol. 6, University of London & History of Parliament Trust, retrieved 9 September 2010
- ^ "Bank Hall Record Book" (PDF). Bank Hall Action Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 September 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2009. 2010
- ^ a b c Bank Hall Action Group, "Bank Hall Auction Catalogue −1861", 2005
- ^ "'Townships: Atherton', A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3 (1907)". pp. 435–439. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
- ^ "Biography of 3rd Baron Lilford". Lilford Hall. 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f John Howard, "The Bank Hall Timeline" "Bank Hall Bretherton Online – Bank Hall Timeline". Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2009. 2007
- ^ "The History of Bank Hall". bankhallbretherton.webs.com. 2009–2011. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ Clare, Sir Harcourt (1913). "Waiting for the Royal Visit, Bank Hall, Bretherton". Archived from the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- ^ "Rector's weekly news". Tarleton Parish Church. 14 March 1946. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2009. 1946
- ^ Friends of Bank Hall (2016) Bank Hall, Bretherton, Lancashire, Written by Paul Dillon, Geoff Coxhead, Andrew Allen, Janet Edwards, John Howard, David Taylor and Lionel Taylor.
- ^ "Archive Maps" (PDF). Bank Hall Action Group. [permanent dead link] 2010
- ^ Paul Dillon and Geoff Coxhead, "Bank Hall, Bretherton, Lancashire", 2004
- ^ "91/00579/FUL Application for listed building consent to demolish parts of the building to make safe Bank Hall Bank Hall Drive Bretherton Lancashire". chorley.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ Bank Hall Action Group (2004) Bank Hall, Bretherton, Lancashire, Written by Paul Dillon and Geoff Coxhead
- ^ Bank Hall Bretherton, Listed Buildings Online, retrieved 25 July 2010
- ^ "The Legh family crest". MyFamilySilver.com. 2010.
- ^ "The Keck family crest". MyFamilySilver.com. 2010.
- ^ "Powys-Keck Family Crest". MyFamilySilver.com. 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "Bank Hall, Bretherton (1362113)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ^ "Cash crisis threatens heritage sites". BBC News. 2002.
- ^ "Heritage at Risk Record Not Found – Historic England". English Heritage. Retrieved 6 January 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Historic Buildings key to regeneration". Lancashire Evening Post. 2003. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- ^ "The State of Lancashire Report". Lancashire County Council. 2010. Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
- ^ "Building Survey – Bank Hall, Liverpool Road, Bretherton" (PDF). English Heritage. 1985. [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Listed Building Consent" (PDF). Chroley Borough Council. 2001. [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Bank Hall, Liverpool Road, Bretherton, Chorley, Lancashire". English Heritage. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. 2009
- ^ Bank Hall Action Group (2010) "Winter News Letter – December 2010",
- ^ "Spatial Planning Environmental Department in Lancashire, "8.1 Built Environment Sites of Heritage Value"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2009. 2007
- ^ "Historic hall may be turned into flats". Lancashire Evening Post. 2006. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013.
- ^ "Riches Hawley Mikhail Architects". Building Design. 2007.
- ^ "NPA Historic Landscape Report". Urban Splash. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. 9 December 2010
- ^ "Restoration Plan to save Bank Hall in Bretherton". Southport Visiter. 14 April 2010.
- ^ "Structural Engineers Report". Urban Splash. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2012. December 2009
- ^ "Banking on a great future for Bank Hall". Heritage Lottery Fund. 2012. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012.
- ^ "Bank Hall given restoration funding boost". BBC News. 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
- ^ "Organisations which support the work and aims of the Bank Hall Action Group". Hall Action Group. 2002.
- ^ Bank Hall Action Group (2011) "Winter News Letter – Potting Sheds (Phase 1) Project"
- ^ "Bank Hall gets £50,000 restoration grant". Lancashire Evening Post. 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ "Decaying Jacobean mansion Bank Hall in Bretherton to undergo full restoration thanks to grant". Chorley Guardian. 2017.
- ^ "The Lodge, Bank Hall, Bretherton". Lancashire County Council – Lancashire Lantern. 2005. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011.
- ^ "Lilac Cottage – 4 bedroom cottage for sale in Bretherton, Lancashire". Findaproperty.com. [permanent dead link] 2010
- ^ "The Windmill, Liverpool Road, PR26 9AX". Mouseprice.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2009. 12 August 2004
- ^ "NPA Historic Landscape Report". Urban Splash. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. 9 February 2010
- ^ "Spectacular snowdrops attract the crowds". Lancashire Evening Post. 2004. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
- ^ ""Snowdrop History at Bank Hall" at bankhallbretherton.webs.com". Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
- ^ "Giant Redwoods in the UK – Bretherton – Bank Hall (Lancashire)". Redwood World. 1 November 2009.
- ^ a b "The Haunted House of Horror". EOFFTV. 1969.
- ^ "Hall restoration plan gets £1.69m". BBC. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "VIPs back Bank Hall bid". Chorley Guardian. 30 July 2003. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012.
- ^ "Restoration, Series 1 – Bank Hall". BBC. 2003.
- ^ "BBC – Error 404 : Not Found". Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "Bank Hall Bretherton Online – Bank Hall Timeline". Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
- ^ "Restoration Revisited – BBC Two". Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "Restoration Home – BBC Two". Retrieved 4 September 2017.
- ^ "BBC One – Britain's Empty Homes, Series 4, Stuart and Helen Barclay". BBC. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ "Episode 27, 2012, Gardeners' World – BBC Two". Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "Episode 2, Britain's Empty Homes Revisited – BBC One". Retrieved 6 January 2017.
Bibliography
- Bank Hall, Action Group (2005). Bank Hall Auction Catalogue −1861. Bank Hall Action Group.
- Bank Hall, Action Group (2009). Bank Hall Record Book. Bank Hall Action Group.
- Coxhead, Geoff; Dillon, Paul (2004). Bank Hall, Bretherton, Lancashire. ISBN 0-9530081-0-X.
- Esstlemont, Mary (2005). My Times at Bank Hall. Bank Hall Action Group.
- Friends of Bank Hall (2016) Bank Hall, Bretherton, Lancashire.
- Lane, Charles H. (1902). Dog Shows And Doggy People. Hutchinson & Co.
- Wilkinson, Phillip (2003). Restoration – Discovering Britain's hidden architectural treasures. Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7553-1251-1.
- Wilkinson, Phillip (2004). Restoration – the story continues ... English Heritage. ISBN 1-85074-914-0.
External links