Header Image Credit: Lost Heritage
Approximate Location:
OS Grid Reference: SJ 84603 74981
Latitude: 53.16.15N Longitude: 2.23.23W
According to John Britton’s book of 1801, The Beauties of England and Wales, The Parkhouse was an ancient name for the principal residence – Alderley House – within Alderley Park. This country estate was run by the Stanley family (who also owned much of Alderley Edge) from the sixteenth century until the 1950s. The original house was destroyed by fire in 1779 and a new house (pictured above) was not completed until 1818.
In Weirdstone, Chapter 16: The Wood of Radnor, Colin, Susan, Gowther, Durathror and Fenodyree doubled back through the Wood of Radnor, which lay within Alderley Park, in a bid to evade the morthbrood. They encountered Gowther’s friend, Harry Wardle, who was felling trees. Suspicion fell on the latter when his axe could no longer be heard. Gowther valiantly tried to defend Wardle saying: “He’ll have nipped back to the Parkhouse for summat, that’s what!” However, as the fugitives were actually heading in that direction it seems that Harry was indeed in league with the morthbrood. The travellers then “skirted the Parkhouse and its outbuildings” before making plans on how best to reach Shuttlingslow.
The Parkhouse is no longer standing. Alderley Park was put up for auction in 1938 but no buyer could be found for the main house. Instead, the building gradually fell into disrepair until it was purchased by ICI Pharmaceuticals in 1950. It was demolished in 1963 and replaced with New Alderley House, itself pulled down in 2015. Some of the outbuildings including the Tenants’ Hall, built in 1904, survive.