Restoration of Clayton Old Hall Ashton New Road Manchester.

Clayton Old Hall, a 15th-century manor house, was acquired by Manchester Corporation in 1896. It isa rare example of a medieval moated site standing on an island, 66 metres by 74 metres. Alterations were made to the hall in the 16th and 17th centuries, and it was enlarged in the 18th century. Darbyshire and Smith carried out further repairs and restoration work following its acquisition by the corporation.

CLAYTON HALL - The Manchester City Council has given sanction, says the Manchester Guardian, to a scheme of considerable interest for the restoration of Clayton Hall, near Droylesden. Clayton Hall, one of the oldest of Lancashire mansions was bought by the corporation so long ago as 1896, after the incorporation with the city of the township in which it was placed and to which originally it gave a name. Long ago the hall relapsed into a state of ruin, and with the Parks Committee it was a serious question what should be done with this new possession. For a time the suggestion held that it should be pulled down, and that the space so cleared, with the acre and more of land around it, should be used for a recreation ground. But the members of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society, and many others, felt that it would be an act savouring far too much of vandalism to destroy a house which for so many years was the home of Humphrey Chetham, the “chapman” who bequeathed to Manchester the well-known hospital school and library. Mr. Alfred Darbyshire, of Messrs. Darbyshire and Smith, the architect of “Old Manchester and Salford” at the Jubilee Exhibition held in 1887 at Old Trafford, was asked to report on the building. Mr. Darbyshire did so, and added a suggestion which went beyond the exact measure of his instructions.

It was that in the hall itself, or in a wing to he added which would be consonant to the old place, a museum might be established containing relics of Humphrey Chetham, so far as it may be possible to gather them together. The report (apart from the museum idea) has now been adopted by the committee and council, and in due course Mr. Darbyshire will be called upon to repair the hall. Although environed by modern streets, Clayton Hall is surrounded by a moat— more complete and perfect than any other which remains to Lancashire ancestral residences, and having a width of from 30ft. to 70ft. and a general depth of 10ft. Mr. Darbyshire proposes to fill this ditch with water from the mains which connect Manchester with Thirlmere Lake. It is by a bridge over the moat that the old hall is approached. This is a bridge of masonry consisting of two beautiful arches, with triangular embrasures on either side of the parapet. The grounds are entered between two square pillars of masonry, most probably set up in Humphrey Chetham’s lifetime. When we reach the hall this relic of bygone Manchester is found to consist of a wing occupying the north-eastern side of the most. It represents English domestic architecture of three distinct periods. The earliest portion is first approached on the moat side, an may be considered as belonging to the timber-framed work of the late 14th or early 15th century. It is similar to and coeval with the earliest portions of Ordsal Hall, in Salford. Against the gable end is a fine example of a characteristic chimney-stack of ashlar masonry of red sandstone. Both this and the gable and have been mutilated, but enough remains to point the way to a complete restoration. Alongside this oldest portion a strip has been added on the south-west side, containing a timber gable and bell-turret, with entrance-doorway and corridor from which the old portion is entered. This addition is of such a character as to point to the fact that it was added in Humphrey Chetham's time—that is, in the 17th century. Most Probably it is the work of the benefactor himself. Built against the northern end of this block (composed of the early and later timber-framed architecture), and in continuation of the garden front, is the last block of the more modern architecture of the Georgian era. This is built at bricks, with the main angles strengthened by red quoin stones. The window openings are poor in character, and in degraded contrast to the beautiful wood-framed mullioned and transomed lights of the older portion of the building. Tis bald uninteresting brick front of this Georgian portion is covered and rendered picturesque with ivy growth, which it is hoped may be retained without injury during the work of restoration. There can be no doubt that Clayton Hall as it may stands represents one wing only of a quadrilateral plan; indeed, foundations have been traced which clearly prove this to have been the case. The general plan was similar to that of Ordsall Hall, where, during the work of building the new church of St. Cyprian, the whole of the foundations of the third side, or missing wing were laid bare.

The historic associations of Clayton Hall are full of interest. It seems to have been inhabited originally by a family of the name of Clayton, and at the end of the 12th century the property passed, through the marriage of an heiress, into the possession of the Byron family. It is well known that the Byrons, lords of Rochdale, were intimately associated with Manchester Although about the middle of the 16th century they became owners of the beautiful priory of Newstead, they maintained an interest in Lancashire up to our own time. Lord Byrom - two years before his death from fever during the siege by the Turks of Missolonghi, in the Greek War of Independence—gave up his lordship and his manorial rights. Clayton Hall was sold by Sir John Byron to Humphrey Cheetham and his brother George Chetham, of London in the year 1620. The latter died in 1627, and Humphrey became the sole owner of Clayton at well as of Turton Tower, near Bolton. It was at Clayton Hall that Humphrey Chetham died in 1653. It will be a due tribute to this generous man’s memory that the small relic of his home at Clayton Hall, a remnant of English domestic architecture, should be preserved and maintained by Manchester, with the acre of gardens around. [Building News 20 April 1900 page 538]

Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 7 April 1900 Page 5
Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 12 May 1900 Page 4 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester City News 12 May 1900 Page 8
Reference    Building News 20 April 1900 page 538