Wednesday 5th February – 10:30am, Bank Hall, Bretherton PR26 9AT
The mansion is Grade II* on the Listed Buildings of Historic England; it featured in the early programme ‘Restoration’, when it was on the list of Buildings at Risk.
After 20 years of campaigning, the Friends of Bank Hall are delighted to see that the building (1608 with extensions and improvements by George Webster in 1830-32) is beautifully restored and occupied as luxury apartments. A small section of new garden surrounds the mansion for the benefit of the residents and is private, but the wider grounds are open to the public, as is the stunning Prospect Tower which offers long-ranging views across West Lancashire towards Southport. The Leeds to Liverpool canal runs nearby and once played a major role in the economy of the Bank Hall estate.
The large group of Friends, led initially by Janet Edwards and now by chairman John Howard, continues to work towards the improvement of the one-time garden; at its zenith there was an orchard, walled kitchen garden with adjacent potting sheds, rose garden, lawn with flower beds, a tennis court, and George Legh-Keck’s pioneering collection of early Victorian conifers, now grown to a massive height. The snowdrops in great variety are well-known.
The current project for the volunteer gardeners is the restoration of the walled garden, which currently only has two walls. A team is working hard to clear weeds, large and small, and will then develop a plan to complement the historic site. Heritage Trust for the North West manage these initiatives as they do at Lytham Hall.
The building of the apartments to modern standards was part-funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund; as a result, public access must be given for a part of the year. The Prospect Tower is to be open on Sundays, at 11am and again at 1pm, with a guide and by advance booking.
Throughout February the grounds are open to the public to view the snowdrops, on Sundays and Wednesdays. Openings are obviously dependent on the availability of volunteers to direct traffic within the grounds, provide refreshments and to serve as guides inside the Tower.
Refreshments will be available to purchase on arrival. We shall join the guided tour of the Prospect Tower at 11am together with other members of the public. Lots of steps to climb, but the view is well worth it, not only to enjoy the surrounding countryside but also the stunning roofscape and ornate chimney pots.
Following this, our guide John Howard, trustee and researcher, will take us to see the results of work in the garden and tell of future plans.