Bidston Hall

BIRKENHEAD

SJ2890 ELEANOR ROAD, Bidston 789-1/6/164 (East side) 29/07/50 Bidston Hall

GV II*

Large house. Probably a late C16-early C17 re-building of an earlier structure, the remodelling itself in at least two phases. Coursed and squared stone with plain slate roofs. Hall and two cross wing plan, modified by C19 renewal of roofs to form two parallel longitudinal gables. Symmetrical facade, with central two-storey semi-circular bowed porch with segmentally-arched entrance with chamfered jambs to architrave and stressed enriched voussoirs. Continuous band of mullioned windows at first floor. Scallopped parapet with low-relief motifs. Flanking mullioned windows of 3- and 4 lights with plain string course over. Rear elevation also symmetrical with original advanced outer gables each with 4-light mullioned windows linked by 4-bay loggia to ground floor, the arcade of semi-circular arches carried on columns with marked entasis. 4-light mullioned windows above. Doorway and flanking windows recessed within, possibly resited. Mullions throughout are ovolo moulded. Interior has central hall with rear wall stack flanked by original service end to left, the present kitchen in the parlour wing to the right. 4-centred arched fire-places in hall and parlour, and some upstairs rooms. 4-centred arched lintels to original doors between principal lower rooms. Exposed stone work with rich collection of masons' marks. Stone staircase towards the rear. Timber framed partition walls upstairs, and traces of earlier layout before addition of loggia infilling between the two wings. The property belonged to the earls of Derby from the C14 until c1652, and the present house was probably built by the 4th earl.

Listing NGR: SJ2854690207