Kirkless Hall and Farmhouse
| Kirkless Hall and Farmhouse | |
|---|---|
 Kirkless Hall and Farmhouse in 2014 | |
  Location within Greater Manchester | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Location | Farm Lane, Aspull, Greater Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°33′08″N 2°36′00″W / 53.55235°N 2.60009°W |
| Year built | 17th century |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | Kirkless Hall and Kirkless Hall Farmhouse |
| Designated | 9 June 1966 |
| Reference no. | 1068423 |
Kirkless Hall and Farmhouse (officially listed as Kirkless Hall and Kirkless Hall Farmhouse) are adjoining historic buildings on Farm Lane in Aspull, a village within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. They are jointly recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a Grade II* listed building, signifying their exceptional architectural and historic interest.
History
[edit]The estate likely occupies a site of medieval origin, as early maps and archaeological evidence suggest the presence of a moat[1] and internal cruck frames, pointing to possible 14th or 15th-century roots.[2] By the 17th century, Kirkless Hall had become a substantial brick-built residence, a rarity in Lancashire at that time.
In the early 18th century, the estate was owned by Richard Houghton. After his death, it passed to Thomas Kendrick and subsequently to his son John Kendrick, who initiated coal mining on the property.[3] By 1773 a pumping engine was installed, marking the beginning of Kirkless Hall's transformation from a rural manor to an industrial hub.[4]
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, the estate became central to the South Lancashire Coalfield. In 1845 John Lancaster leased the site and expanded operations, forming the Kirkless Hall Coal & Cannel Company. By 1858 ironworks were added, and the concern became the Kirkless Hall Coal & Iron Company.[4] In 1865 it merged into the Wigan Coal and Iron Company, with Kirkless Hall serving as its headquarters. The once-elegant hall was surrounded by slag heaps and furnaces, symbolising Wigan's industrial boom.[4]
Following the decline of coal and iron industries, Kirkless Hall reverted to residential use. On 9 June 1966, Kirkless Hall and Farmhouse was designated a Grade II* listed building for its architectural and historic significance.[5]
Today, it remains divided into two dwellings, retaining much of its historic character despite alterations. The surrounding landscape, once dominated by industrial activity, is now used for leisure, with the adjacent Leeds and Liverpool Canal serving recreational purposes.[3]
Architecture
[edit]The hall and farmhouse, now divided into two dwellings, are primarily constructed of brick with stone dressings and feature a slate roof. A datestone—likely not original—reads "BUILT 1663," suggesting a 17th-century origin. The structure is two storeys in height with seven bays, the seventh being a later addition.[6]
Architectural details include projecting gabled bays at the first and fifth positions, which add visual interest to the façade. The first four bays rest on a stone base, while the first bay displays raised brick diapering, a decorative masonry technique. The fifth bay is notable for its timber-frame pattern plastering, evoking earlier vernacular styles.[5]
Windows are predominantly sash with glazing bars, although some have been replaced with later single-glazed units. Ground-floor openings feature gauged-brick cambered arches and wedge lintels, while evidence of multiple blocked openings and altered entrances reflects the building's architectural evolution over centuries. Prominent chimney stacks, including cross-axial and gable-end stacks, complete the distinctive profile of the property.[6]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Kirkless Hall". Parks and Gardens. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
- ^ "Wigan Album | Leeds and Liverpool Canal". Wigan World. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Kirkless Hall". Wigan Buildings. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "Kirkless Hall". Northern Mine Research Society. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
- ^ a b Historic England. "Kirkless Hall and Kirkless Hall Farmhouse (Grade II*) (1068423)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Kirkless Hall and Kirkless Hall Farmhouse". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
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