More information : (SJ 59078956) Bewsey Old Hall (NR) Moat (NR) (1)
Bewsey Hall, only the S end of which now remains, is situated
within a nearly circular moat. The Hall, circa 1600, had its
principal front to the E and is of 3 storeys with square headed,
mullioned, and transomed windows. The stonework of red sandstone
is now in poor condition. (2-4)
Bewsey Hall excavations over the past three years have revealed
evidence of a succession of buildings on the N side of the hall,
these being Medieval, Tudor and Georgian, the latter two having
phases which date from the 16th century. Foundations uncovered in
an area of 200 sq metres in 1978, were of buildings of various
periods, and showed their complicated interrelationships.
Correlation of structural evidence and associated finds, suggest
five phases: prehistoric, Medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian
(5). The site was recorded as a monastic grange in 1264 (6). (5-6)
Excavations at Bewsey Old hall, sponsored by Warrington and Runcorn Development Corporation and MSC, have revealed a large number of medieval and later features, including a medieval fishpond (or perhaps an earlier arm of the moat) sealed beneath a C16th midden. Other notable finds were a C15th terraced garden and a medieval bridge and other medieval foundations. Excavation continues. (7-8)
Bewsey Old Hall, Grade II*. Hall, late C16, C17, C19 and early C20, restored (with some rebuilding) late C20. The present building is a fragment of the former Hall, of which archaeological and documentary evidence extends to C13. Stone-dressed small brown brick in irregular English garden wall bond; grey slate roofs. L-shaped with projecting south cross-wing. Kitchen wing of 1 storey south of main building (linked by passage) is C19, in keeping, with late C20 restoration and embellishment. (9)
In 1251 the land was given to Tilty Abbey (TL 62 NW 4) in Essex who
established a grange here. Thirteen years later William le Boteler
made Bewsey his family seat and it remained in his family until the
late 16th century. The house was extended in 1597 and a Georgian
wing replaced part of the house destroyed by fire during the 1740s. A
chapel and detached building survived on the island until 1960. There is also a formal garden of the Stuart period and a fishpond. (10)
SJ 5908 8956. Bewsey Old Hall moated site, fishpond and connecting
channel. Scheduled RSM No 13488. (11)
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