Handforth Hall

Handforth Hall is a manor house dating to 1562, originally built for Sir Urian Brereton. The house has undergone alterations in the early 17th century and subsequent restorations. It is timber framed and stands on a sandstone plinth, with a Kerridge stone-slate roof, a stone ridge, and two brick chimneys. The original plan was likely E-shaped or possibly quadrangular, though the visible structure is now a single range.

The front of the house has two storeys and five bays. A two-storey porch dominates the central bay, topped by a coved gable. The entrance to the porch features ornately carved jambs and an inscription lintel reading: "THIS HAULLE WAS BUYLDED IN THE YEARE OF OUR LORD GOD MCCCCCLXll BY URYAN BRERETON KNIGHT WHOM MARYED MARGARET DAUGHTER AND HEYRE OF WYLLYAM HANDFORTH OF HANDFORTHE ESQUYER AND HAD ISSUE VI SONNES AND II DAUGHTERS". Behind the porch is a 4-centred arched entrance with a 20th-century door. Above the entrance is coving with pierced quatrefoils, a motif also repeated at the eaves. The first storey windows are mullioned and transomed, some retaining original leaded glazing. Above the window is diamond pattern timbering extending across the whole front, and a cross motif within the gable. The right-hand bay projects similarly but without an entrance, and the left-hand bay lacks coving, indicating a former connection with another range. Throughout the house are original or replicated 2- and 3-light mullioned and transomed windows. The rear of the house has two long wood mullioned windows, formerly belonging to the great hall. A two-storey projection is on the left end, featuring ornate carving on the tiebeam of the gable. A single-storey addition is located at the east end.

Inside, the entrance leads into a screens passage, where one post displays black painted interlace decoration. To the right is the former great hall, now divided into two rooms, with chamfered ceiling beams, one supported by a carved bracket. A stone fireplace, brought from Yorkshire, is also present. An arcade of three entrances is on the left side of the screens passage; two have early 17th-century elliptical heads, while the furthest one has the original 4-centred head leading to a chapel. A central opening leads to a fine oak well staircase with two levels of open Jacobean arcaded panelling, with square newels and carved finials. The balustrade of the staircase contains two gates, set within a deep recess, likely intended for a watchdog. On the landing is a pair of Jacobean 3-panel doors with strapwork on the top panels, which open into antechambers. One antechamber is lined with chevron timberwork, containing a blocked original doorway. The main chamber lies beyond and has been divided into two.

Handforth Hall was the home of Sir William Brereton, a Parliamentary commander in the North-West.