Riding House, also later historically recorded as Riding House Farm (and Riding’s Farm), was an ancient, centuries-old settlement and former manor located in Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, England. The name originates from the prominent medieval Riding family who owned and farmed the land in the area as early as the 13th century.
It is shown on the 1840s Ordnance Survey map of the area, to the east of the Walton Cotton Factory’s Mill Pond and adjacent to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway line.
By later surveys, the building has been demolished, but its historical significance is acknowledged through its inclusion as a recorded site of importance. There is nothing shown on the circa 1910 OS map, but later it is indicated as the (Site of) Riding House on the circa 1960s Ordnance Survey National Grid map.
A Sale by Auction, which as advertised in the Preston Chronicle during 1889 includes Ridings Farm at Walton-le-Dale as one of the lots.
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RIDING HOUSE was the home of the family of that name. John son of John del Ridding occurs temp. Edward I, John del Riding in 1332 and John son of Richard del Ridding in 1363. John Riding, the elder and younger, and William Ryding conveyed four tenements here to James Mason alias Stopford and William Stopford in 1582. William Stopford of Ulnes Walton died in 1617 seised of a tenement in Walton, held of Robert Banaster of Passenham, co. Northants, kt., as feoffee of Gilbert Hoghton, kt. William Stopford his son was aged twenty-three years. In 1622 he was an out-burgess at Preston gild with his two sons. In 1662 Nicholas Norris paid 12d. rent to the lord of Clitheroe for Riding House.
Hoghton D. 554, 850; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 44, m. 91; Lancs. Inq. p.m. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), ii, 72; Guild R. 85.
‘Townships: Walton-le-Dale’, in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 6, ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill (London, 1911), British History Online: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol6/pp289-300
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To be Let,
And entered upon at Michaelmas next,
RIDING’S FARM, situated in Walton-le-Dale, within Two miles of the town of Preston, with GARDEN, ORCHARDS and PLEASURE GROUNDS, and a few Acres of Meadow and Pasture LAND.
The House having been unoccupied for some time, requires repairs, which will be effected and the wishes of any person becoming Tenant consulted, as to Painting, Papering, &c. It contains Dining, Drawing, and Breakfast Rooms, Five best Bed Rooms and Servants’ Rooms, with all necessary Offices. The Outbuildings cousist of Brewhouse, Coach House, Three Stalled Stable, Saddle Room and Shippon, with Corn Chamber, Hay Loft and Mangle Room over the same.
Also, to be Let, and entered upon at Candlemas next, The FARM called CROSSLEY’S, near Middleforth Green, within a mile of Preston, consisting of sundry Fields, of un-commonly fertile and productive LAND, chiefly Meadow and Pasture, measuring together about Sixty-five Lancashire acres, a considerable portion of which lying on the South bank of the Ribble, can be warped when required, and being securely embanked therefrom, the growing crops are effectually protected from the unseasonable incursions of that river. The House is quite new and contains Rooms suitable for the accommodation of a respectable family, and the Farm buildings consisting of Shippons for Forty Cows, Stabling for Seven Horses, Bara, roomy Hay Sheds, &c., &c., are particularly good and conve-niently arranged.
Also, THREE MEADOWS, lying on the Easterly side of the Preston and Leyland Turnpike Road, near the lane leading therefrom to Walton Factory, and called the Brows, CROOK-WISE MEADOW, and WOODACRE, measuring together between Six and Seven Lancashire Aсгоз.
The above may be viewed, and other particulars known by applying to Mr. HARRIS, Walton Factory, near Preston.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, July 22, 1837
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources, British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207415455/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=c83f80f1
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To be Let,
For a Term, and entered upon at Candlemas next,
AN excellent and convenient FARM, containing between 70 and 80 Lancashire Acres; situate in the township of Penwortham, within a mile of Preston, and now in the occupation of the owner, who has, for several years past, spared. no expense in its improvement.
The House is recently erected and well finished, and adapted for the accommodation of a respectable family; and the Barn buildings numerous and complete, consisting of Shippons for 40 Cows, Stabling for 7 Horses, Barn, spacious Hay Sheds, &c., &c.
The Land is of good quality, and highly productive; and being chiefly Meadow and Pasture, has been usually occupied as a Milk Farm; for which, its proximity to the populous and rapidly increasing town of Preston, renders it peculiarly eligible; and a considerable portion of it laying on the banks of the river Ribble, can, at proper seasons, be warped thereby. To a person engaged in the commerce of Preston, and fond of Agricultural pursuits, it offers the inducements of profitable and agreeable relaxation; and to the experienced farmer, advantages which he cannot fail to appreciate.
Also the House and Premises called RIDING’S FARM, in the adjoining township of Walton-le-Dale; which will be let from year to year in its present state, with 8 acres of Meadow Land, at a moderate Rent; or for a Term as may be agreed on, the proprietor making necessary repairs.
Apply to Mr. HARRIS, Walton Factory.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, Aug. 15, 1840
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources, British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207418726/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=74929904
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FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL SHOW.
The first show of the Lancaster Floral and Horticultural Society, for this year, took place in the Oddfellow’s Hall, on Wednesday last. The day was delightfully fine for the occasion, and many were the visitors to view the exhibition. The leading feature in the exhibition was the tulips, of which a large quantity were staged. In point of numbers the show was an average one, while in excellence it was never surpassed; indeed, it was the opinion of many competent judges that in no part of England could a finer stock have been exhibited, and from our list of prizes it will be seen that Mr. Richardson took the lead; that gentleman and the Duchess of Hamilton carrying away all the prizes. The Green-house plants were remarkably fine, and as usual W. Ford, Esq., obtained the majority of prizes. The prize for Pansies (a beautiful set) was also carried off by the same gentleman, who also exhibited a lot of Ericas with similar success. The Cactus’s shown were superior to any we have ever seen. In the Auriculas there were only two good plants both belonging to Miss Bradshaw, of Burrow. The Rhubarb was of a very large size; the first prize of six sticks weighed 14lbs., the second, 1341bs.; the third, 12lbs. 13oz. The judge of the whole was Mr. Norris, Riding House Farm near Preston. The following is a list of the prizes.
FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL SHOW
Date: Saturday, May 28, 1853
Publication: Lancaster Gazetter
Gale Primary Sources, British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/R3209668662/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=5&xid=3be03df1
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Riding’s Farm, near Penwortham Factory.
TO HORTICULTURAL FLORISTS, MARKET GARDENERS FARMERS, AND OTHERS. TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY MR. HENRY SNAPE one look on Tuesday, October 23rd, 1860, at the farm and premises of William Hodgkinson, Riding’s Farm, just above Penwortham Factory, The whole of his STOCK of rose trees, evergreens, scented jonquils, daffodils, gooseberry and currant trees, Victoria and Albert rhubarb roots, a large quantity of celery, scotch and Savoy cabbages, broccoli, onions suitable for dibbling out, cabbage plants, and several lots of russets and other kinds of apples.
The farm, stock and implements comprise one capital milk cow, two good stirks, one useful pony; carts and geers, nearly new; a quantity of kits and dairy utensils, forks, rakes, spades, &c.
The whole of the lots will be sold without reserve, in consequence of the owner leaving the premises.
The whole of the excellent Household Furniture, will be sold on the same day.
For particulars, and to view, apply on the premises; or to Mr. HENRY SNAPE, the auctioneer, White Bull inn, Walton.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20, 1860
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources, British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207455333/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=200f0d42
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PENWORTHAM and WALTON-LE-DALE, Preston, Lancashire.
VALUABLE LANDED ESTATE and well-secured GROUND RENT of £200.
By Mr. H. C. WALTON, at his Sale Rooms, Fishergate, Preston, on Thursday, the 6th day of June, 1889, at Three o’clock in the afternoon prompt, subject to conditions of sale and in the following or such other lots as may then be determined:
Lot 1. A Valuable Close of LAND at Middleforth Brow, in Penwortham, near the Sumpter Horse Inn, having long continuous frontage to the highway from Preston to Leyland, with access from the road to Penwortham Mill, and bounded on the cast by the North Union Railway. Also 10 COTTAGES and Gardens, all fronting to the aforesaid highway. Contents of this lot, 12a. 1r. 18 ½p.; total frontage to the highway about 420 yards. Possession next February.
Lot 2 (Comprising lots 2, 3, and 4, as after described), the FARM, partly in Penwortham and partly in Walton-le-Dale, near Penwortham Mill, known as “Upper Farm” (and with the close part of lot 1), now occupied by Christopher Hartley. This lots contains 55а. Ог. 8р. of excellent Land, and there is a capital modern Farm-house, with all necessary outbuildings, and six COTTAGES. Possession next February. (Should this lot not be sold as above advertised, it will be sub-divided as follows:-)
Lot 2. Closes of GRASS LAND, chiefly within Penwortham, containing 22a. Or. 19 p., on the East of the North Union Railway, with frontages to the Preston and Leyland highway and the road to Penwortham Mill. This lot contains capital building sites, and in places adjoins the stream forming the township boundary.
Lot 3. The FARMHOUSE, COTTAGES, Outbuildings, and several Closes of Grass Land, chiefly in Walton-le-Dale, principally adjoining the last-mentioned lot, with access from the Preston and Leyland highway and the road to Penwortham Factory. Total contents of this lot, 31a. 2г. 21p.
Lot 4. A triangular Close of LAND, containing 14a 1r. 74p., between the East Lancashire Railway and the old Tramway, now a public promenade.
Lot 5. The FARM in Walton-le-Dale called Riding’s Farm, occupied by Mr. Joshua Cockshutt, comprising Dwelling-house, Cottages, and several Closes of Land, together with the extensive Reservoir known as Penwortham Lodge. Contents, 23a. 2г. 12 ½р.
Lot 6. A Perpetual YEARLY RENT of £200, secured upon the Cotton Mill, Cottages, and premises known as Penwortham Factory, the site comprising three acres of land.
All the lots are freehold of inheritance, free from chief rent and land tax redeemed. The Property is in the immediate neighbourhood of Preston, being within two miles from the Preston Railway Station. The title deeds may be inspected at the office of Messrs. Myres, Veevers, and Myres for seven days prior to the Auction. Particulars, with plans and conditions, may be obtained on and after the 22nd day of May from the AUCTIONEER; Messrs. MYRES, VEEVERS, and MYBES, Surveyors and Land Agents, No. 15, Chapel-street, Preston; Mr. JAMES CHEETHAM, Foxholes Estate Offices, Rochdale; or
Messrs. JACKSONS & GODBY, Lower Gates, Rochdale. Solicitors for the Vendor.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, May 25, 1889
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources, British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207504081/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=fa08b521