The four-storey building Clegg Hall was built in 1618 by Theophilus Assheton, it was surrounded by farmland and countryside.. Clegg, near Wardle, and the surrounding area is shrouded in mystery. Legend has it that Bernulf de Clegg and his wife Quenilda built a house there in the reign of King Stephen (11-35-1154). The first factual information about the inhabitants of Clegg comes from the early 13th-century deeds which mention Hugh de Clegg. In 1261 the Clegg area is mentioned in a document referring to Alice, the widow of Geoffrey de Buerdsil, which points to there being a medieval settlement there. Matthew, Thomas and Randle de Clegg gave all their land to Adam de Belfield and his heirs in two charters dated 1281-2 and 1310-11. This family held the estate for more than 200 years, then in 1552 Ralph Belfield died and both his daughters Anne and Elizabeth married into the Assheton family of Middleton. Anne’s brother-in-law, William Assheton, took over the estate and his eldest son Theophilus became head of the family when his father died in 1600. There has long been talk of a Clegg Hall ‘boggart’ which put many a passer-by n edge at nightfall. And there’s the story, too, of a tunnel leading from the great hall to Rochdale town centre - an escape route for anyone who felt the need.
Clegg Hall is situated on Clegg Hall Road in Milnrow, Rochdale, Greater Manchester
On this site was the old house built by Bernulf de Clegg and Quenilda his wife as early as the reign of Stephen. Clegg Hall, in Great Clegg, originally belonged to the old Saxon family of Cleggs, who were at one time of considerable influence in the parish. A Matthew de Clegg lived in the reign of Henry II and Andrew de Clegg held the lands about the time of Henry VI., when the estate passed into the family of the Ashtons, from whom it descended to the Howarths, of Great Howarth, in the time of Charles I. It then passed through various hands, and in 1860 was the property of James Fenton, Esq. The present comparitively modern erection was built by Theophilus Ashton of Rochdale.... about the year 1620
The Grade II* listed Clegg Hall is an outstanding example of an early 17th century house constructed for the gentry and is a rare example of its type in South Lancashire. It was built in 1618 by Theophilus Ashton, probably on the site of an earlier building. With its rectangular robust form, the steep gables and simple elevations it is an archetype for the Jacobean period. The building also contains elements that are typical for earlier periods such as the hall plan, moulded timber beams and Tudor classicist detailing. In addition, irregular fenestration, the use of local stone and indigenous crude decorative elements introduce a vernacular character. The Hall is located within the core of an important 19th century industrial complex. Surrounded by open countryside, this area includes 19th century weaver's cottages, early 19th century textile mills, the Rochdale canal, and agricultural buildings. The settlement represents the development of a south Pennine village from early agrarian inhabitants through to industrialisation and was consequently designated a Conservation Area in 1986.
The Hall was used as a dwelling until World War II when it was deserted and subsequently used for storage use. Since then the structure has been in continuous decline. It is now in a very poor condition. Only the principal walls survive along with remnants to the roof interior. Due to the loss of a majority of the roof the interior is open to the elements. The gables and walls appear unstable at high level and stonework has been dislodged. Some consolidation work has been carried out by its present owner but due to a lack funding the structure continues to decay. If rescue doesn't come soon the building will be lost!
Since 1986 the building has been in ownership of the Pennine Heritage Trust which is looking for a partner to bring the building back into use. The present authorised planning use for the Hall is a private dwelling. Also, most of the surrounding buildings are now in residential use, apart from the vacant and largely derelict Clegg Hall Mill complex. Any proposals to change the use of Clegg Hall from a private dwelling to any other type of use would be considered against whether there would be likely to be any harm to the residential amenities of the existing neighbouring residents. Contact the Pennine Heritage Trust for more information.
Contact Owner:
Pennine Heritage TrustFAO: Sue Hammer
The Birchcliffe Centre
Hebden Bridge
Yorkshire HX7 8DG
Tel. (01422) 844450
Planning Contact:
Rebecca Waddington
Conservation Officer
Planning Serives
Development Control Service
Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
P.O. Box 32
Telegraph House
Baillie Street
Rochdale OL16 1JH
Tel: (01706) 647474
http://www.lancshalls.co.uk/Rochdale/clegghall.htm
http://www.clegg-family.net/clegghall.html
