Reasons for Designation
Many early houses had gardens associated with them. Examples are known from
as far back in time as the Roman period. During the 16th century there was a
surge in interest in garden design in order to emulate the achievements of
late classical models known from Latin literature and to imitate examples
reported from Italy and France. The forms of such gardens might include water
management with ponds and canals, elaborate geometric plantings and ornamental
walls with summerhouses, banqueting houses and gazebos.
These garden buildings were designed to complement the architecture of the
main house and open some of the functions of the house into the garden. In
particular they were to provide a place for quiet recreation and contemplation
for a gentleman and his friends.
A banqueting house provided a place for elaborate dining in a situation which
was closer to nature and away from the cares of running an estate.
The gatehouse and banqueting house at Tilstone Hall survives well despite the
loss of the roof and parts of the upper storey. The building still shows a
wealth of the original detail and represents a fine example of a local mixture
of classical and medieval proportion and style. It is one of two surviving
examples in Cheshire, the other being at Gawsworth Hall.
Details
The monument includes the ruins of a two-storey gatehouse for a walled garden
originally attached to Tilstone Hall. The house was built around AD 1600 by
Thomas Wilbraham of Woodhey and, after damage during the Civil War, was pulled
down in about AD 1740. The gatehouse is all that remains of this mansion and
its garden.
The gatehouse, which is listed Grade II, is built of red sandstone ashlar with
some brickwork repairs to the structure and brick infilling of the window
openings. On the south west front there is a central pedestrian archway with
moulded springers and ovolo moulding to the arch voussoirs. This was flanked
by mullioned widows with pediments over, now blocked with brickwork. The north
east face is similar, with a central archway and blocked mullioned windows.
One cabled Doric column survives on the right hand side of this doorway. Other
columns are now missing.
The building was probably intended to be used as a banqueting house in the
upper storey and a retreat for the enjoyment of the garden.
The post and wire fence to the south of the gateway is excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath it is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
30367
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
