Blythe Hall

Blythe Hall is a large house, likely dating from the late 16th or early 17th century, although it has undergone significant alterations over the centuries, particularly in the early 19th century and around 1920 when it was extensively remodelled and enlarged for the 3rd Earl of Lathom. A further reduction occurred around 1975 with the demolition of the original eastern range. The external materials are scored stucco on sandstone rubble, with a green slate roof. Later additions include sandstone ashlar with stone slate roofs.

The house presents an irregular plan, originating as an H-shaped building to which extensive wings have been added to the rear corner of the original right-hand wing. The original portion is two storeys and attics, with a symmetrical facade featuring a 1:5:1 window arrangement. A wide, single-storey, 20th-century stone porch is central, above which is a two-light window. Pairs of two-light windows are found on both floors, with ground-floor windows having hoodmoulds. The gables of the wings contain casement windows of 3, 2, and 1 lights on successive floors, all also with hoodmoulds. Ridge chimneys are present. The left-hand return side has a 20th-century bay window and conservatory at ground level, while the right-hand return side features a two-storey canted bay. A symmetrical 20th-century wing, linked to the corner of the original block, has a 1:3:1 window arrangement with gabled ends containing two-storey five-sided bays with cross-windows. The centre of this wing includes an arcaded loggia at ground floor and three-light mullioned windows above it. A simpler 20th-century wing containing a swimming pool extends to the rear, alongside other later service wings.

The interior of the original main range was extensively remodelled around 1920, creating an open hall with a dramatic two-storey colonnaded Ionic screen to a staircase that occupies much of the rear wall. An adjacent room features elaborate panelling reportedly salvaged from Lathom Hall after its demolition shortly following the First World War. The swimming pool in the rear wing is designed in the style of a Roman temple, incorporating mosaic columns. The first floor contains seven en-suite bathrooms with mosaic walls and early 20th-century fittings.

Historically, Blythe Hall was remodelled by the 3rd Earl of Lathom to serve as a residence replacing Lathom Hall. It was later used for entertaining prominent figures in the theatrical world, such as Ivor Novello and Noel Coward, and subsequently housed a Roman Catholic seminary.