| Summary : Scarisbrick Hall was originally a 16th century building and seat of the Scarisbrick family that underwent remodelling, rebuilding and enlargement in 1814. This work was probably begun by the architects John Slater of Liverpool and Thomas Rickman. However work was mainly carried out by the architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin between 1836-1845 for Thomas Scarisbrick and again in the 1860s and 1870s for Anne Scarisbrick. The building is made up of sandstone and features stone slate roofs. The building plan features a hall facing south-east, with east and west crosswings, and an east tower with kitchens. The site also comprises an 'L'-shaped service wing to the rear. The building is Gothic in style with the west wing of 1814 early Gothic, the hall and other parts of the main building of 1836-1845 in fully developed 15th century Gothic revival and the east wing and tower in French or Flemish 15th century style. The ornamentation of the building of these parts becomes more elaborate in the progression from east to west. Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin's two-storey open-hall featuring two-storey oriel windows and a steeply pitched roof with a three-stage lantern on the ridge is in the centre of the composition. This is dominated by Edward Welby Pugin's east wing which features an octagonal turret and a tower of great height with an attenuated rectangular spire. The interior of the building features much elaborate carved oak, some of it of Flemish origin, which was collected by Thomas Scarisbrick. The building became a school in 1963 and, of 2013, is still operating as such. |
More information : Scarisbrick Hall on site of SCARISBRICK HALL [G.T.]. (1)
Scarisbrick Hall is a modern mansion which takes the place of
a much older house which stood on the same site & which may
incorporate parts of the older building with it. Tradition has it
that the old Hall was built in the early 11th cent; the Scarisbrick
family seem to have been living there since the late 12th cent.
Mention of the old Hall is made in the will of Thomas Scarisbrick
dated 4th October 1530. Little is known of the old Hall and it is not
even certain that it was on the site of the present building for
traces of a moat may be seen to the N.W. The old Scarisbrick Hall
seems to have made way at the beginning of Elizabeth's reign for the
predecessor of the modern building. The O.S. map designates the house
as "Scarisbrick Hall on site of SCARISBRICK HALL [G.T] but whether
or not Edward Scarisbrick (who succeeded to the manor early in
Queen Elizabeth's reign) built on the site of the older "Manor-Place"
or selected a new one is open to question. The house built by Edward
Scarisbrick undoubtedly stood on the present site and seems to have
been in existence until the beginning of the 19th cent.
Mr W.A. Abram writing in 1886 quotes a description of the Hall written"40 years ago" but does not state the source of the passage quoted.
It reads "...... over the eastern porch of this ancient structure
are the name and date 'Edwarde Scarisbrick AN'O DN'I 1595' with
the family arms........ restoration of parts of this ancient mansion
include the old dining hall in which is a tablet with E.S. 1569
presumed upon it......"
I think the Hall built by Edward Scarisbrick was a half. timber
or timber building on a stone foundation and it was improved at the
beginning of the 19th. cent. Scarisbrick Hall was rebuilt on the
foundations of the old house in 1837 by Augustus Welby Pugin for
Charles Scarisbrick. (2)
The Hall, as first built, was a little removed from the present
site, and the spot is still marked by a moat, which, together with
the EAS Brook, formed its defence. The Hall, probably a
half-timbered structure of which no remains are left, is spoken
of in a deed at the beginning of the 13c.
HENRY SCARISBRICK built a store house on the present site. His
son was knighted on the field of battle at AGINCOURT. The hall
chapel is mentioned in 1420 and 1447. The hall was restored by
EDWARD SCARISBRICK (lived 1566-99). Over the eastern porch, he
placed the inscription "EDWARDE SCARISBRICKE, ANNO DOMINI 1595".
His initials E.S and the date 1569 were also placed on a marble
mantelpiece. The Hall was rebuilt by PUGIN in the early 19c. The
east wing and tower were added later. The west wing is an addition
of the early 20c. (3)
"The west wing incorporates within its walls some of the fabric of
the old Hall. Otherwise the present building is a complete rebuilding.The 1569 and 1595 datestones referred to by BULPIT were not preserved.The Hall was built by PUGIN about 1846-8. The west wing, contrary to
BULPIT'S statement, is the oldest part, and the east wing is 20c.
The Hall was purchased in 1945 from the late Sir EVERETT SCARISBRICK,
to become a teachers training college, and is known as S.KATHERINE'S
COLLEGE". (4)
SD 39171261 A perambulation around SCARISBRICK HALL revealed no
visible remains of pre-19c. fabric. (5)
For SCARISBRICK HALL (mentioned B.e) please see SD 31 SE 1. Scarisbrick Hall is a registered Park and Garden. For more information on this designation please see the National Heritage List for England. (6, 7)
Scarisbrick Hall is a Grade 1 listed building. For more information on this designation, please see the National Heritage List for England. (8, 9)
Images of Scarisbrick Hall can be found in the Red Box Collection held by English Heritage’s Archives Service. (10)
Scarisbrick Hall became a school in 1963 (Scarisbrick Hall School) and, of 2013, is still operating as such. (11) |