Astle Hall
Astle Hall is a former country house located near Chelford, Cheshire in the North West of England. The hall has been demolished; its parkland and a lodge survive.
History
The hall was built in the middle of the 18th century by John Parker, Esq, on the site of old Milne House. Earwaker describes "a large, roomy house, situated in a well-wooded park, the beauties of which are considerably enhanced by a large sheet of water which borders it on one side".It was described by George Ormerod in his 1819 history of the county: "Astle Hall, which has been much enlarged and improved by the present proprietor, is a handsome and spacious edifice situated amongst extensive and well-timbered grounds. At a short distance from the house is a large artificial piece of water, which assumes from its extent and variety of outline the appearance of a natural lake."
John Dixon esq of Gledhow Hall and Weeting married Lydia, daughter of John Parker, in 1784 and passed to his grandson, Colonel Sir George Dixon, created 1st Baronet in 1919. He was succeeded by the Dixon Baronets of Astle, still extant.
The hall originally had a symmetrical Neo-classical design, which is recorded in artworks and photographs. By 1988, this had been reduced to a painted brick wing of three storeys with gables, which the architectural writers and speculate might have represented the former hall's service wing, based on its lack of resemblance to pictures. It was left derelict and was demolished towards the end of the 20th century.