Description

SJ 88 SE WILMSLOW FORMER U.D. HALL ROAD
(North Side) Handforth

2/283 Handforth Hall

30/3/1951
II*

Manor house: dated 1562 for Sir Urian Brereton some early C17
alterations and successive restorations. Timber framed on sandstone
plinth, Kerridge stone-slate roof, stone ridge and 2 brick chimneys.
Probably E-shaped or possibly quadrangular in plan at full extent, now
1 range. 2-storey, 5-bay front. Central bay is a 2-storey porch
under a coved gable with an entrance with ornately carved jambs and
inscription on the lintel reading

"THIS HAULLE WAS BUYLDED IN THE YEARE OF OUR LORD GOD MCCCCCLXll BY
URYAN BRERETON KNIGHT WHOM MARYED MARGARET DAUGHTER AND HEYRE OF
WYLLYAM HANDFORTH OF HANDFORTHE ESQUYER AND HAD ISSUE VI SONNES AND II
DAUGHTERS".

Behind porch is a 4-centred arched entrance with C20 door. Above is
coving with pierced quatrefoils, a motif repeated at the eaves. 1st
storey has. a 2-light mullioned and transomed window partly with
original leaded glazing. Above window is diamond pattern timbering
continuing across the whole front and cross motif in the gable. Right
end bay is a similar projection but with no door and left end bay has
no coving as there was another range joined at this point. Original
or copied 2 and 3-light mullioned and transomed windows throughout.
To rear are 2 long wood mullioned windows to former great hall and
chevroning throughout. Left end is a similar 2-storey projection with
ornate carving on tiebeam of gable. 1-storey addition at east end.
Interior: Entrance into screens passage where 1 post has black
painted interlace decoration. To right is former great hall (now
divided into 2 rooms). Chamfered ceiling beams, 1 resting on a carved
bracket. Stone fireplace brought from Yorkshire. Arcade of 3
entrances on left side of screens passage, 2 with elliptical heads of
early C17, far one is original 4-centred head to "chapel". Central
opening to very fine oak well staircase with 2 levels of open Jacobean
arcaded panelling, square newels with carved finials. In stairwell,
balustrade has 2 gates to deep recess, probably for a watch dog. On
landing is pair of Jacobean 3-panel doors with strapwork in the top
panel. These open to antechambers with a wall completely covered with
chevron timberwork, (1 contains a blocked original doorway). Main
chamber lies beyond and has been divided into 2.

The home of Sir William Brereton, Parliamentary commander in the
North-West.

Listing NGR: SJ8630783309

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Handforth Hall at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q5647389

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)