| Summary : A moated site, the island of which is occupied by Lower Huxley Hall, its gardens and lawns. The island is sub-square and measures circa 40 metres each way. It is surrounded by a waterlogged moat varying in width between 9-14 metres. The moat is lined by sandstone wall on its outer edge along the north-west and much of the south-west arms, and on its inner edge along the north-west and north-east arms. Access to the island is via a late medieval arched sandstone bridge (Listed Grade II*) across the north-west arm with secondary access being provided by a sandstone footbridge across the north-east arm. The present house is late 15th century with major additions and alterations of early-mid 17th century. There is also a small addition to the rear of early 19th century. The house is partly timber-framed internally with the remainder in English and Flemish bond orange brick, with blue brick diapering, and buff sandstone dressings under a graduated Welsh slate roof. Its plan has developed for that of a medieval hall into a courtyard, now reduced to an L-shape. Huxley was held by the Canons of St Werburgh Abbey, Chester, from whom it passed to the Benedictine Order, although it is uncertain which of their monastries controlled it. After the Dissolution it passed through the hands of various families and was garrisoned for Parliament by Colonel Croxton during the Civil War in 1644. |
More information : [SJ 49776225] Lower Huxley Hall [T.I.] MOAT [G.T.] (1)
Lower Huxley Hall .... occupies a moated site near the Gowy.
This mansion was garrisoned by Colonel Croxton, during the siege
of Chester, Sept. 5th 1644 (a). (2)
Webb speaks of [Lower Huxley Hall] as a seat of the Clives in
1622(b) ... It is now a farm huose. (3)
Lower Huxley Hall ... is ... of the Tudor period. It is ...
completely surrounded by a broad moat fed by the Gowy river ...
Until recent years the only access to the island ... was by a ..
stone bridge of two arches ... At the island end of the bridge
there is a ... circular beaded Jacobean entrance gateway ... The
hall which faces the south east is a brick building with
stone quoins and mullions'. There are two gabled projections in
front of the main portion of the hall. Most of the windows are
mullioned and transomed, but many have been bricked up. Beneath an
upper window is an achievement of arms undoubtedly of John
Tilston of Huxley who married the widow, of Joshua Clive, whose
first husband died in or before 1600.
Attached to the south west side of the building there is a
wing of modern appearance but the interior shows that this is
due to a recasing of the walls. (4)
The Historic Building Society has recently agreed to make a
grant towards preserving the hall-and work on it is to commence
shortly. Representatives of the Society who examined the house
stated that the two gabled projections on the SW side were of
half-timber work - and probably later additions, although
themselves of early date.
The name now in general use for the house is 'Lower Hall', the
word 'Huxley' being omitted. (5)
The Hall, moat, bridge and gateway are well preserved, and in
every respect as described by authority (4). The brickwork and
ashlar quoins of the hall are exposed in all except the NW
wall which is now cemented over. The NE and SW walls retain their
mullioned and transomed windows, although some are blocked up.
The NE side also has a massive brick chimney with three
rectangular stacks.
The moat which averages 9-10 metres in width is still water
filled throughout, and now has, in addition to the two-arched
stone bridge, a modern foot-bridge corssing it on the NW side.
Mr F Clarkson,the owner of the house confirmed that it is now
known as 'Lower Hall'.
The site is correctly surveyed on OS 25". See GP A0/59//86/6 -
Hall, moat, and Gateway from SW.
No change since report of 25.8.59. Published 1:2500 survey,
1961, correct.
Except for the rather ugly south wing, the house is outstanding
for its period in this area. It is maintained in excellent order
and retains many original features. (6)
2/12 Lower Huxley Hall
22/10/1952 Grade II*
Moated Manor house: late C15 with major additions and
alterations of early-mid C17. Small addition to rear of early
C19 with some recent alterations. Partly timber-framed
internally, remainder in English and Flemish bond orange brick,
with blue brick diapering, and buff sandstone dressings.
Graduated Welsh slate roof with stone ridge. 1 massive lateral
brick chimney with 3 diamond stacks. 3 later brick chimneys on
south wing. Plan developed from a medieval hall into a
courtyard, now reduced to L-shape. East wing has 2-storey and
attic, symmetrical 3-bay west front. Cyma-moulded stone plinth,
stone quoins, and moulded bands at 1st and 2nd floor. 2-storey
end bays project under coped gables and have 5-light rebated
ovolo-moulded, mullioned and transomed windows with applied
lattice lead glazing. Central bay has a pair of similar 3-light
windows below, a single one above. Between is a heraldic
plaque under a label mould. To inside of left end is original
front door in moulded, 4-centred arched doorcase. Similar recent
doorway created in mullioned and transomed window opposite.
South wing is in late C17 and early C19 English garden wall bond brick on a stone plinth. Brick label moulds over C20 wooden mullioned and transomed windows.
Interior: East wing has modern porch created in a bay window.
Hall extends along the whole length of the room to the rear.
It has moulded red sandstone fireplace. Decorative ceiling
removed to expose beams and joists. Plan altered upstairs but
timber framed partitions survive.
South wing: entry from modern porch into rather broad former
screens passage. It contains C17 splat baluster open well
staircase with finialled octagonal newels. Upper landing has
later turned balusters. To right hall was formerly open to
the roof but has inserted ceiling with massive moulded,
plastered crossbeams of C16 date and later strapwork medallions
in the panels. Inglenook fireplace has chamfered bressumer and
moulded 4-centre arched stone fireplace brought down from
upstairs. To left of passage are former service rooms with close
studding of former external wall visible. Similar stone fireplace
in corner also moved from upstairs. Upstairs shows fine close-
studded partition walls with collar and tiebeam trusses. Over the
hall is a moulded arch-braced collar truss with wind-braced
purlins. Main chamber has pair of small grilles of turned
balusters to passage into later wing.
2/13 Bridge over moat and archway to Lower Huxley Hall
1/3/1967 Grade II*
Bridge, archway and stubs of former curtain wall: bridge late
medieval, with parapet and remaining work of early-mid C17.
Ashlar buff and pink sandstone with some English garden wall
bond orange brick in curtain wall. Bridge has a pair of low
segmental arches divided by triangular cutwaters. Plain parapet
with chamfered coping follows line of the cutwaters. Flagged
carriageway. Astride the hall side of the bridge is a fine moulded
semi-circular archway with raised springers, a rosette on the
keystoe, and a projecting band above. Strapwork entablature
carries open scrolled pediment flanked by finials. Triangular
ramps run down onto the parapets. To rear are the stubs of a
brick curtain wall with stone quoins and copings. (7)(8)
A channel leading downslope towards the moat from the South-West
through a ploughed field, is the obvious water supply. The
channel is c. 3 m. in width and 0.2 - 0.3m. deep. The river Gowy
could not have supplied water to the moat, because it is some
0.5m. lower.
See G P of Jacobean gateway.
The building is now known as Lower Huxley Hall. (9)
SJ 4979 6226. Lower Huxley Hall moated site. Scheduled RSM No 13458.
(10)
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