Alderley Old Hall

The Hall was built in Alderley Park in the early 17th century for Sir Thomas Stanley, High Sheriff of Cheshire for 1571–72, who then made it his family seat. Stanley had purchased the manor of Nether Alderley and other lands from Sir Edward Fitton of Gawsworth for £2,000. His son Sir Thomas Stanley, a barrister, was made a baronet at the Restoration, and was High Sheriff of Cheshire in 1630. He made many improvements to the hall, including the construction of a stone-arched gateway at the front, extensive stables and the planting of beech woods near the mere. Following a severe fire in 1779 the baroque frontage of the hall was demolished and a new hall constructed to the south of the park,…