Gawsworth,
near Macclesfield SK11 9RN
Tel: 01260-223456. Fax: 01260-223469.
Arguably the most pleasant and charming of all of Cheshire's
Tudor houses, Gawsworth Hall is a lived-in residence, and the
present owners, Mr & Mrs Timothy Richards, welcome visitors
to their splendid historical house with a charm that equals
the house.
Gawsworth is the former home of the notorious Mary Fitton, who,
Maid of Honour at the Court of Queen Elizabeth I, is supposed
to have been the 'dark lady' of Shakespeare's sonnets.
Set
in splendidly maintained traditional gardens, overlooking a
lake and within sight of the medieval church, one is met with
the trickle of water from the garden fountain and the calling
of ravens in the trees nearby - sounds which have probably changed
little since Mary Fitton walked amongst the profusion of roses
and carpeted lawns.
The house has many paintings, sculptures and furniture of note
- not least the original Tudor refectory table in the dining
room, and the William Morris stained glass windows, designed
by Burne-Jones, in the tiny chapel and ambulatory. Its late
15th century timber frame structure is open to view especially
on the first floor Gallery and the adjoining Solar bedroom.
The Library contains an extensive collection of books specialising
in the history of Cheshire, log fires burn in the wide open
fireplaces, and if you are fortunate, the house dog will lie
sprawled in front of one of them.
The original Norman House was rebuilt in 1480, and has been
the residence of the Earls of Macclesfield, Earls of Harrington
and the Stanhope family. The present occupant still bears the
title "Lord of the Manor and Patron of the Living of Gawsworth".
Thanks
to a considerable amount of careful and loving restoration in
the 1920s, the Hall is still with us today. The Richards family
have occupied the house since 1962. The former owner, Lord Harrington,
made over the Lordship of the Manor to Raymond Richards, a celebrated
Cheshire historian in his own right, when he moved to Ireland.
Further
restoration resulted in the house being opened to the public
in 1966.
LOCATION
About 3 miles south of Macclesfield on the A536 Congleton-Macclesfield
Road.
OPENING
Open from end of March to early October (please phone to check
current openings), daily from 2.00-5.30pm. Evening parties and
groups by arrangement. Times may have changed - please check
before setting off.
ADMISSION
A charge of about £4.00 is made for adults, children half price.
Reductions for groups of 20 or more persons. Price includes
the house and gardens, but please check as prices may be liable
to change.
FACILITIES
Ample free car parking nearby in a well signed car park. Refreshments,
teas and snacks available in the Pavilion on site. Access is
very difficult for disabled persons, and impossible above ground
floor level. Regular Outdoor Theatre productions held in the
gardens nearby in June, July and August, with events ranging
from Shakespearean performances, to Jazz and Brass Band Concerts.
Phone for current details.
