Located on a promontory between the Calder River and Sabden Brook near several other Ribble Valley residences.
Little is known of the original house, which was replaced by the present neoclassical residence in the early 19th c.
It was described as 'an interesting house with central hall and projecting end wings, but it had been almost ruined by injudicious alterations carried out by Alexander Nowell prior to 1772' (VCH Lanc 6.505).
There is a notice of payment to Sir Thomas Hesketh's minstrel in the executors' accounts for the estate of Robert Nowell of Read (ca. 1518--69). It is not certain where the performance, if any, occurred although Read, located near the Hesketh family's residence at Martholme, is a possibility.
Privately owned.
1364 Lawrence Nowell acquired Read Manor via marriage to Katherine, daughter of John del Clough.
1772 Estate sold after the death of Alexander Nowell to James Pennington.
1799 Pennington sold the estate to Oakenshaw Printing Company.
1801 Acquired by one of the partners, Richard Fort.
1818--25 House rebuilt to the design of George Webster of Kendal.
REED Lanc 160
