Walton Hall, Walton-le-Dale
There have been at least three halls named ‘Walton Hall‘ located in Walton-le-Dale over the centuries. Perhaps the most famous one was built circa 1750 and was subsequently demolished circa 1837. It was inhabited until 1835 and was associated with the de Hoghton family.
Former residents of this 18th-century house included:
- Sir Henry Philip Hoghton, 7th Baronet, until his death in 1835.
- Sir Henry Bold Hoghton, 8th Baronet, from 1835 until 1837.
It was recorded that Sir Henry de Hoghton, bart., was the lord of the manor, and proprietor of Walton Hall, an elegant oblong brick pile, encircled by pleasure-grounds, and washed by the Darwen. This would have referred to Sir Henry Philip Hoghton, 7th Baronet.
This is an engraved view of the hall by G. Pickering, as it stood shortly before its removal. It was used in Baines’ (history of) Lancs. (1836 edition). A lead statue of King William III was taken to Hoghton Tower, where it stood in the upper courtyard. There is a record of it being there at the beginning of the twentieth century, but it is not clear it still now stands there. The text records that another building called Walton Hall was subsequently erected a short distance from its former site.
Walton Hall had previously undergone alterations before it was pulled down, which gave it a modern appearance. It was a large structure of brick and stone with projecting gabled end wings and classic porch in the centre, in the pediment of which was the Hoghton coat of arms.
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Looking at Ordnance Survey maps from the mid nineteenth century (published in 1848) many of the buildings associated with Walton Hall still appear to exist, and it is marked as a feature on the map, but we know that is was demolished in 1837.
There is also a feature marked as ‘Walton Hall (Site of)’. This generally denotes the existence of something much earlier. Not something that was demolished a few years ago. This sort of notation would normally highlight the location of an old abbey, castle, monastery, Roman road, well, etc.
The full set of maps, which can be compared to other maps or modern satellite images, are available to be viewed online via the National Library of Scotland’s website here:
Ice House
There is an Ice House (Icehouse) that is identified at the bottom of the map sheet. This icehouse would have been associated with Walton Hall and was used as a cold storage place, a precursor to the modern day refrigerator. They were generally brick constructions that were in a shaded area, such as woodland, and would be built partially underground, to help maintain a cool interior. In winter, they were packed with ice gathered from local ponds or rivers, allowing perishable food to be stored for use throughout the warmer months. Only wealthy owners of large houses would have an Icehouse. They were not commonplace. There are surviving examples locally, for Cuerden Hall, Worden Hall (Worden Park), and Woodfold Hall. Sadly, the one for Walton Hall has gone. If it hadn’t already been demolished, it would have been destroyed during the construction of the Bamber Bridge bypass the mid-1980s or later when it was upgraded to a dual carriageway in 1997, to accommodate traffic from the newly extended M65.
A comment to a recent Social Media post (on a local Facebook Group) that was about a Robert Pateson photograph, which showed the Bridge over the River Darwen in Walton-le-Dale, revealed an interesting clue about the icehouse in more recent times.
Cromwell’s cave was in a field off Hennel Lane ie was tunnelled from the Unicorn Inn which accommodated cyclists on Sunday ls Mr and Mrs Fletcher owned it when we were kids. It had a bid black iron fireplace in the kitchen n flag floors.
It’s an interesting one, but I think that its’ likely to be the icehouse, which children have christened a cave. It would be logical to do so, as there are known links to Oliver Cromwell in the village. Tunnels seem to be a recurring theme too, but I think they are ‘folklore’, as opposed to having any basis in fact.
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The last days of Walton Hall
‘The last days of Walton Hall’ is an article on the Preston History website that describes how the death of Sir Henry Philip Hoghton of Walton Hall in 1835, at the age of 67, ended the family’s time as resident lords of the manor of Walton-le-Dale.
It’s not clear why the Hall was demolished and many of the surrounding buildings that formed the estate were left. When Sir Henry Philip Hoghton’s son and heir (also Henry) married, he acquired the Bold estate at Wigan, and changed his name to Bold-Hoghton. He apparently showed no desire to return to Walton-le-Dale.
‘A HISTORY OF BLACKBURN PARISH’, written by WM. ALEXANDER ABRAM, and published in 1877 records the following.
The offices of the Hoghton estates, and the modern residence of Sir Charles Hoghton’s steward, R. J. Flowerdew, Esq., J.P., now occupy a portion of the hall grounds.
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The Original Walton Hall
Hoghton Tower seems to have been abandoned for Walton Hall in about the year 1710, and during
the eighteenth century Hoghton Tower was allowed to fall to ruin and decay.
Walton Green developed along the bank of the River Darwen, close to the road that became the A6 trunk road, which has now been renumbered after the introduction of the Bamber Bridge bypass. Originally the buildings in the Walton Green area may have been farm buildings, but these have mostly disappeared and a new farm complex, known as Walton Hall Farm, was developed about 400 yards to the west in the late 17th Century and early 18th Century. The Green is situated on what was once the back entrance to Walton Hall, with the main entrance to the Hall being entered from Hennel Lane.
Old Walton Hall was demolished in 1837 (some sources say 1834) and replaced by a large Victorian House, which is described below as ‘The Last Walton Hall’. It was subsequently demolished in 1940, but some of the outbuildings were incorporated into Walton Hall Farm. The Walton Manor Estate has been in the possession of three important local families: the Banastres, the Langtons and the Hoghtons. The
1839 Tithe Map of Walton-Le-Dale shows that the Hoghton family owned most of the land at Walton Green at this period. One of the buildings, no. 1 Walton Green, is recorded as an office belonging to Sir Henry Bold Hoghton, Baronet.
The book ‘Bygone Preston’ (A BRIEF STUDY OF PRESTON IN THE OLDEN DAYS) by GEORGE C. MILLER mentions Walton Hall in relation to The Old Friary that was once situated to the west of Friargate. This building appears to have been demolished in 1539. It goes on to say:
ON the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, the deserted shell was granted to one Thomas Holeroft. It then consisted of a small collegiate building, with a chapel adjoining the cloisters.
Later it was occupied as a residence by Oliver Breres. Recorder of Preston, who was also one of the council named in that charter of Queen Elizabeth happily styled Preston’s Magna Carta.
During his tenancy he was disturbed by a number of assailants, armed with “swords, bylls and long pyked staves,” who broke into the premises and proceeded to dismantle the very walls, under the orders of Sir Thomas Langton, who claimed the use of its stone for repairs at Walton Hall.
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The Last Walton Hall
The Last Walton Hall appears to have been built in 1865. Looking at an old photograph, which was probably taken at the end on the nineteenth century or the beginning of the twentieth century, a date of 1865 can be seen built into the brickwork on the Gabled Cross-Wing.
The ‘last’ Walton Hall was visible on detailed Ordnance Survey Maps from the early twentieth century (circa 1910) that are available online. However, it is not present on the mid twentieth century Ordnance Survey Maps (circa 1965). Again, many of the associated buildings do remain, and are described as; Walton Hall Cottage, Walton Hall Croft, Walton Hall Farm and Walton Hall Stables. The feature marked as ‘Walton Hall (Site of)’ is also still present.
It can be seen on the 1965 map that there is no longer a building marked as ‘Walton Hall‘. This means that the last Walton Hall was demolished some time between 1912 and 1965. The most likely time is during the interwar years.
A ‘Walton Green Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan’, which was published by South Ribble Borough Council and revised in December 2013, specifically states that Old Walton Hall was demolished in 1834 (other sources say 1837) and replaced by a large Victorian House that was subsequently demolished in 1940.
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Charles Edward Grierson
Charles Edward Grierson (circa 1849 to 1916) of Crewdson and Grierson, and the second son of John Grierson. He was a local cotton mill owner, and would have been wealthy. The Crewdson and Grierson mill was at Walmer Bridge Mill. An 1891 Directory for Preston listed them as cotton spinners and manufacturers of Walmer Bridge Mill, Preston, Little Hoole; 664 looms, plain goods. In 1905 they built a new weaving shed to accommodate 100 looms, also in Walmer Bridge, near Preston.
The Company was voluntarily wound up in 1934 due to depression in trade. This was following the death of Charles Edward Grierson (partner) in 1916 and the death of Theodore Crewdson (partner) in 1923.
Obituary from the Lancashire Evening Post on Friday 18th February 1916
The death took place during last night of Mr. Charles Edward Grierson, J.P., Walton Hall, near Preston. was connected with the firm of Messrs. Crewdson and Grierson, cotton manufacturers, Walmer Bridge Mill. About a fortnight ago he caught cold, which developed into pneumonia, and in spite of every care he passed away as stated.
He was prominently identified with the temperance cause, and had held the presidency of Preston and District Band of Hope Union for some seven years. When he took office the union was passing through a most anxious crisis, and it was due to his generosity and indefatigable efforts that the organisation weathered the storm. He was of a generous disposition, and his old workpeople at Walmer Bridge are provided with weekly or monthly pensions. He was keenly interested in local affairs, and was the chairman of Little Hoole Parish Council, an office had held for a great number years. In addition, he was a manager of the Walmer Bridge school.
Mr. Grierson was an ardent Liberal, and was president of the Walton-le-Dale and District Liberal Association. Since taking residence at Walton Hall, previous to which had lived at Ashton-on-Ribble, was most active member of St. Leonard’s Church. Mr. Grierson, who was 67 years age and the second son of the late Mr. John Grierson, Maxwelltown, Wilmslow, Cheshire, leaves a widow, two sons – both of whom hold the rank of lieutenant in the Army – and four daughters. The funeral is fixed to take place on Monday at St. Andrew’s Church, Ashton-on-Ribble.
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Band of Hope
B.O.H. stands for “Band of Hope”, a temperance organisation that was widespread in the UK during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was especially active in areas like Walton-le-Dale, which had a strong Methodist and Nonconformist presence — communities often associated with the temperance movement.
The Band of Hope was a non-denominational movement with membership open to all children who pledged to abstain from drinking alcohol. It began in 1847, grew rapidly and in some locations it maintained its popularity for over a hundred years.
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The Mock Corporation
The Mock Corporation of Walton founded in 1701 was not a Jacobite institution, but a social club patronized by those of the county gentry who sought occasions for convivial meetings.
The officers included a mayor, deputy mayor, recorder, bailiff, chaplain, Serjeant, physician, and mace-bearer ; among other officers appointed during the early years of the institution were those of house-groper, jester, poet laureate, champion, huntsman or master of the hounds, sword-bearer, in 1708 a
slut-kisser, and in 1711 a custard-eater, besides many others.
Four staves covered with silver bands, on which are inscribed the names of the corporate officers for each year, and two silver-headed wands preserved at Cuerden Hall, remain of the once more numerous regalia.
The ‘moot hall’ was held at the Unicorn Inn, near Darwen Bridge, and among the many notable persons who served the office of mayor were Thomas Duke of Norfolk (1709), James Earl of Derwentwater (1711),and Viscount Molyneux (1740). No records were kept after 1796.
Many years later they were rescued from destruction at the hands of frequenters of the ‘Unicorn’ by Sir Philip Hoghton, bart., who removed records and regalia to Walton Hall, then his residence.
In 1834 the regalia were removed to Cuerden Hall, the records remaining in the hands of Sir Henry de Hoghton, bart.
The de Hoghton’s did not reside at Cuerden Hall, so it is not clear how they ended up in that location, but still were noted as being ‘in the hands of Sir Henry de Hoghton’ in 1834, the year before his death in 1835.