More information : [SJ 8375 7811] Chorley Hall [GT] (1) Chorley Hall, built probably about 1420, is surrounded by a moat [See AO/62/169/5] (2) 'Chorley Hall' is not an outstanding example of its period. See G.P. AO/64/12/4 The homestead moat, except for the N.W. corner, is well preserved. It is partly water filled. Published survey (25") revised. (3) Chorley Hall. An early 15th century building with a 16th century timber framed building at right angles. The original building is of stone with brick repairs, a slated roof, and stone and brick stacks. Most of the fenestration is post Mediveal, but the plain original timber roofs largely remain. The buildings were originally separate but were joined by the construction of a brick staircase in the 19th century. Grade 2*. (4-5)
Chorley Old Hall (formerly listed as Chorley Hall and outbuildings). Grade I. Sub-Manor house: c1330 for de Chorley family, timber-framed portion of c1560 for Davenport family and refenestration and internal alterations c1640 for Thomas Stanley. Late C18 repairs and major renovations of 1915 and 1975. L-shaped plan. Still stands within its moat and unlike other Cheshire examples has not been swamped by later additions. See List for full account.
Bridge over moat to Chorley Old Hall. Grade II. Bridge: probably C16 with some later repairs and rebuilding. Ashlar buff sandstone. 2 semi-circular headed arches are sprung from low piers. There is a low parapet with a flat coping and a concrete roadway. (6)
SJ 8375 7811 SJ 8372 7805 SJ 8373 7800. Chorley Old Hall moated site and four fishponds. Scheduled RSM No 13497. The oldest inhabited country house in Cheshire. The moated island measures c.70m x 54m and contains Chorley Old Hall and numerous low earthworks. Surrounding the island is a waterlogged moat averaging 12m wide x 1.3m deep to the water level. At the NW corner, however, the moat's width has been increased to c.30m and there are two small ornamental islands. A recently improved outlet channel connects with a stream to the W. Access to the island is by a bridge across the N arm. An outer bank 9-11m wide x 0.4m high flanks the E arm and the E half of the N arm. S of the moat is a set of waterlogged fishponds. The westernmost is of sub-rectangular form, measuring c.9m x 8m. It connects via a short channel to an L-shaped pond that is fed from a stream by a recently improved inlet channel entering at its SW corner. This pond measures c.40m N-S x 30m E-W. A recently improved outlet channel issues from its NW corner to flow over an ornamental waterfall and enter the moat at the SW corner. A third fishpond, c.16m x 12m, lies to the E and connects with the L-shaped pond via a short channel. Further to the S is a dry fishpond c.17m x 6.5m x 0.8m deep that possesses an outlet channel into a stream on its S side.
The bridge was built by the Stanleys. The earliest manor house and the later half-timbered house were joined by a brick link in the late 18th/early 19th century. In 1915 the house was fully restored and further renovations occured in 1975. (7)
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