Description

WILDBOARCLOUGH C.P.
SJ 96 NE
14/4/1967 Crag Hall.
3/11
II*
House circa 1815 in brown sandstone (of brick-sized blocks) with
ashlar quoins and dressings and hipped grey slate roof, swept round
semi-circular full-height bay (facing out) at each end. 2 storeys
with 5 windows to front and 3 in each semi-circular bay. Raised
projecting tetrastyle Ionic portico with rusticated base containing 3
arched recesses, flight of stone steps to each side (9 right, 8 left)
and square entablature; iron railings. Pair of 3-panel doors flanked
by a round-headed 13-pane recessed sash left and right. The central
window above the portice has an ashlar case with a square entablature
on console brackets. 12-pane recessed sashes to lower storey of each
wing, 9-pane to upper, all in ashlar cases. The Semi-circular bays
have plain projecting ashlar bands at cill levels. Broad, boarded,
open eaves.
The interior justifies the II* grading. The hall with lozenge flag
paving and 2 niches has double doors to study (left), drawing room
(right) and circular cantilevered stbne stair (rear) with ornate
cast-iron balusters.
The study has a semicircular end, a small chimney piece with
ornamental mirrors and door to dining room (to rear) which has oak
dado panelling (probably later), Ionic chimney piece of black marble
with plain mantel and 3 (later) ornamental mirrors and door to stair.
The drawing room with marble fireplace flanked by double doors left
and right; in a wing to rear is the billiard room with staff door.
The rear stair has 3 cantilevered stone flights.
There is a glazed dome over the main stair. The bedroom over the
study (Lady Derby's) has a good cast iron fireplace in a Gothick
surround of timber. Finely made mahogany doors of 6 fielded panels to
principal rooms on both storeys. Fairly simple plaster cornices.
During the C19 Crag Hall was the residence of the proprietor of the
textile mills at Wildboarclough. Crag Hall is shown on Greenwood's
Map of Cheshire (published 1819) but detailing of the portico, roof
and staircase balustrade look some 15 years later. It is also on
Swire and Hutchings and Bryant's maps of Cheshire (published 1830 and
1831).

Listing NGR: SJ9878668809

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Crag Hall at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q5180592

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Period property manual, victorian house manual 2 books collection set by ian rock
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover