Adlington Hall
Adlington Hall
There was a house here as early as 1040, when the Legh, or Leigh, family built a hunting lodge in the forest of Macclesfield, and the Legh family have remained owners ever since. The current house is a product of the 14th century, begun in 1315 for a noblewoman named Ellen de Legh.
The roots of Adlington Hall quite literally go back in time; at the heart of the Great Hall are a pair of oak trees, their roots still in the earth, their trunks shaped into carved pillars.

Despite its 14th century origins, late medieval and Tudor remodeling have changed the house considerably.

The Great Hall was built in the late 15th century by Thomas Legh, centred around the pair of ancient oaks.
A Tudor manor in typical Cheshire black and white style was added a century later by another Thomas Legh. Thomas was suspected of having Papist sympathies but was still named as High Sheriff of Cheshire.

This Tudor style is oddly juxtaposed beside the classical style wing and west front added to the house in the 18th century by Charles Legh, who also served as High Sheriff. Charles Legh was friends with composer George Frideric Handel, who gave him the manuscript of a score for a hunting song he had composed. The score is still proudly owned by the Legh family.
The Temple of Diana
The Temple of Diana
The Great Hall is notable for its excellent hammerbeam roof, and within the hall - occupying almost all of one end - is an 18th century organ reputedly played by Handel on several occasions. The organ is flanked by the two tree trunk pillars.

The house is surrounded by landscaped gardens, a product of the 18th century. A Temple of Diana was added later, and in the 20th century a rose garden and maze were created. The surrounding estate at Adlington extends to over 2,000 acres, with woodland walks, a lake, and an off-road driving course!

The hall and gardens are open by prior arrangement to groups, and can be booked for corporate events.
Visiting
For whatever reason, I was the only visitor on the guided tour when I visited. Perhaps it was the fact that it was the last tour of the day. Whatever the reason, I fel very privileged, for I had the guide all to myself, and had a wonderfully personalised experience of the house. The thing that stays in my memory is the quite astounding Great Hall, which seems almost dwarfed by the huge 1670 organ. This astonishing musical instrument is so imposing, so overwhelming, that it is almost too much to take in. I can't think of any historic musical instrument in any stately home in the country that is quite so impressive.
The other remarkable thing about Adlington is how different it looks depending on which side of the house you approach. The main visitor entrance is pure Cheshire black-and-white, a Tudor symphony of timber-framing. But if you walk around behind the house, on the trail that leads to the Temple of Diana, and look back at the house, it is neo-classical Georgian red-brick, with a high portico supported on large columns. Its like two completely different houses, each impressive in its own right.

The Tudor wing
The Tudor wing
The 18th century facade
The 18th century facade
The formal gardens
The formal gardens

More Photos

About Adlington Hall
Address: Mill Lane, Adlington, Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, SK10 4LF
Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: to the W of the A523 in Adlington, 6 miles N of Macclesfield
Website: Adlington Hall
Email: enquiries@adlingtonhall.com
Phone: 01625 827 595
Historic Houses Association
Location map
OS: SJ906 805
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

HERITAGE

HeritageWe've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.

Find other attractions tagged with:

14th century (Time Period) -


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest

Hare Hill Garden - 2.9 miles (Garden) Heritage Rating

Alderley Edge - 3.3 miles (Countryside) Heritage Rating

Bramall Hall - 3.8 miles (Historic House) Heritage Rating

Lyme Park - 3.8 miles (Historic House) Heritage Rating

Macclesfield, Christ Church - 4.2 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Quarry Bank Mill - 4.7 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

Nether Alderley Mill - 4.7 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

Siddington, All Saints Church - 5.2 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating



Nearest Accommodation to Adlington Hall:

Self Catering   -   B&Bs/Guesthouses   -   Hotels


Nearest Self Catering Cottages

3 Cypress Way, High Lane
3 Cypress Way, High Lane - 4.5 miles
High Lane, Greater Manchester
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £239.00 - 494.00
Broadcarr Barn, Whaley Bridge
Broadcarr Barn, Whaley Bridge - 4.8 miles
Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire
Sleeps: 6
Stay from: £300.00 - 540.00
Disley Hall, Disley
Disley Hall, Disley - 5.3 miles
Disley, Cheshire
Sleeps: 6
Stay from: £394.00 - 1018.00

  More self catering near Adlington Hall

Show self catering cottages near Adlington Hall

Nearest Hotels

The Deanwater Hotel Stockport
The Deanwater Hotel - 1.9 miles
Stockport, Cheshire
Stay from: £75.00
Shrigley Hall Hotel - The Hotel Collection Pott Shrigley
Shrigley Hall Hotel - The Hotel Collection - 2.3 miles
Pott Shrigley, Cheshire
Stay from: £90.00
Hollin Hall Hotel Macclesfield
Hollin Hall Hotel - 2.7 miles
Macclesfield, Cheshire
Stay from: £49.00

    More Hotels near Adlington Hall

Show bed and breakfasts near Adlington Hall

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

The Church House Inn Macclesfield
The Church House Inn - 2.6 miles
Macclesfield, Cheshire
From: £35.00
The Governors' House Cheadle
The Governors' House - 3.7 miles
Cheadle, Cheshire
From: £69.00
The Kings Arms Wilmslow
The Kings Arms - 4 miles
Wilmslow, Greater Manchester
From: £59.00

  More bed and breakfasts near Adlington Hall