Atherton Hall

Performance Spaces

Overview

History

Bibliographic Sources

Legend
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Data layers

Other Images

18th c. courtyard door
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Venue Type & Location

Private Residence

Site Name: Atherton Hall
Location: near Atherton
County: Lancashire
Location Type: Town - near town at determined location

Overview

Situated among woods approximately a mile SW of the town of Atherton, a few miles NW of Manchester through rolling countryside.

The original residence of the Atherton family is long gone and no description has yet been found. A few remains of the early 18th c. residence are incorporated in the neo-Georgian, 20th c. house that may be on or near the site of the Elizabethan building.

Performance History

A probable performance venue. No Atherton household records survive but a musician under John Atherton's patronage performed at nearby Smithills.

Current Status

The original house does not survive.

History of the Venue

12th c. The Atherton family acquired Atherton Manor.

1723--42 New hall in the baroque style built by the last direct male descendant of the family, Richard Atherton.

1797 Atherton Hall passed by marriage to the 2nd Baron Lilford and ceased to be used as a residence.

1825 Most of the house demolished.

ca. 1930 Present house built on the site by Isaac Taylor of Manchester incorporating rusticated doorways from the 18th c. residence.

Record Source

REED Lanc 167

Patrons who owned this venue

Name Dates Titles
Atherton, John 1557-1617

Bibliographic Sources

View a list of abbreviations.

  • Fleetwood-Hesketh, Peter. Lancashire Architectural Guide. London: John Murray, 1955.
  • George, David, ed. Lancashire. Records of Early English Drama (REED). Toronto, Buffalo, London: U of Toronto P, 1991.
  • Pevsner, Nikolaus. Lancashire: I. The Industrial and Commercial South. The Buildings of England. Harmondsworth, Midd: Penguin Books, 1969.
  • Robinson, John Martin. A Guide to the Country Houses of the North West. London: Constable, 1991.
  • The Victoria History of the County of Lancaster. The Victoria History of the Counties of England. 8 vols. London: Archibald Constable, 1906–14.
  • Walker, J.S.F., and A.S. Tindall. Country Houses of Greater Manchester. Manchester: Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit, 1985.