Built in the 15th century on the site of a 12th century home, Clayton Hall has thoroughly historic pedigree with a number of illustrious families owning the moated property over the years, such as the Byrons, the Chethams and a visit from Cromwell. With many of its historic features still intact, Clayton Hall is a good example of the old English homes that continue to fascinate. Here’s a closer look:
Starting out in an inglenook in the central hall of the property, the kitchen soon shifted to its own room where its cast-iron stove still sits today. Like all kitchens of the time, the only other integrated aspect of the kitchen was the large brick-legged stone sink, cabinets, farmhouse tables and sideboards provided storage space for the cookware and tableware, such as the handsome Welsh dresser with its collection of porcelain.
One of the most essential rooms in a pre-industrial home was the larder, pantry or ‘cold store’, where foods would be kept in a cool environment. Without refrigerators, a solid stone room built below ground level was the only method of keeping food cool, so preserves were paramount, with stocks of jars and bottles kept to store preserved foods.
As history slipped into the Stuart era, receiving guests and socialising in the home became a fundamental part of elite society, introducing the salon to English homes. This is when Clayton Hall underwent its biggest transformation since its 15th century construction. A large brick extension doubled the size of the property with the addition of a host of reception rooms, which continued to develop over the proceeding decades.
Rooms in the house saw their next big change in the Victorian era, particularly due to the industrial revolution. The boom in industry provided families outside of the aristocracy and landed gentry with the opportunities to build and grow businesses, such as the explosion in mills, railroads, manufacturing and supplies. With this greater spread of wealth, the middle class sprung up and with them came the ability to provide their children with toys and comfort.
Like most halls and manors of their era, Clayton Hall required a large network of staff to keep the house in working order. A laundry room (or wash house) was constructed away from the main house where laundry and scullery maids were employed away from the eyes of their employers. All washing and drying was done by hand, taking all day or multiple days to wash clothing. Irons heated up over the fire, washboards for scrubbing textiles and a hand-cranked mangle, were some of the inventions of the day to assist in the laborious laundry process.
With such a long history behind it, Clayton Hall has been home to a number of prominent local families including the Clayton family who owned the house until Ceclia Clayton married Robert de Byron in 1194 and ownership passed into the Byron family (ancestors of Lord Byron). 400 years later the Byrons sold the house to the wealthy Chetham family, who founded Chetham’s Library in Manchester; the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. It is around this time that it is believed Oliver Cromwell stayed at the property for several nights as the Parliamentary cavalry planned their attacks on Manchester during the Civil War.
After the Chethams died off, the property was rented to a host of local figures before the local corporation purchased and restored the property in 1900. Today, the property is open twice per month for the public to visit for free. It is a Grade II property with its moat still intact (currently dry), with a tea room, gift shop and tours on offer. Find out more or plan your visit by browsing the website here.
See more homes from history by browsing the ‘historic‘ tag for previous posts such as Dunrobin Castle in Scotland or Smithills Hall in England, alternatively read more about English homes in history and their connection to the British class system.