The Linley Wood Estate |
The Caldwell family lived in Talke from the 1789 untill 1949. Their home, Linley Hall, was a large rambling mansion house, built up on a hill overlooking Linley Road. The estate itself was known as Linley Wood. The hill sits by itself and appears to have been formed a long time ago by the intersection of two faults and the land subsequently having been pushed upwards at this point. A ring of concentric earthworks or terraces circling the hill indicate that it may have had some sort of settlement in pre-Roman times.
There appears to have been a house on the site in the early 1700s, owned by William Rowley (Romley?) There still exists today in the grounds of the present house a grave stone which reads as follows:
"Here Lieth William Rowley who departed this life Dec 22, 1745 and desired to be intered here in his own garden rather than in the church lest he who had studied to promote men's health while alive should be detrimental to it when dead as well as defile the house of God. Aged 66."
In his will written in 1737 William Rowley mentions his address as being called "New House, Montpelier, Talk o'the Hill". Perhaps the name "Linley Wood" originally just refered to the wooded area above the house.
James Caldwell bought the main part of the Linley Wood estate in March 1789 from the executors of the late Edward Salmon for the sum of £4,750. The title deeds, which are in the Stafford Record Office (4229/6/2/1), state that in 1789 the estate consisted of 211 acres and had 6 houses on it. James Caldwell set about building himself a large Georgian mansion presumably on or around the site of the existing house. I understand that as time went on James Caldwell and later his son James Stamford Caldwell enlarged the estate by buying more land as opportunities arose. A full record of the estate was made on the death of James Stamford Caldwell in 1858 (Staffordshire Record Office 4229/1-5). |
Believed to be Linley Wood around 1789 |
Ann Marsh-Caldwell is recorded as buying Bank Farm with 73 acres, for £4,700, 12 September 1869. The farm was previously owned by Richard Howard Haywood of Odd Rode in Cheshire. The farm was recorded as being in the occupation of Thomas Cotterill (Staffordshire Record Office 4229/6/5/1).
A record of the rents for 1908 exists and lists 16 tenants paying a total of £444 in annual rent. A list was also drawn up in 1913 as a "Provisional Valuation" when Maj Gen Frederick Crofton Heath-Caldwell took possession and at this time the estate appears to have totaled at lease 400 acres and extended from Talke to Alsager.
From the early 1900s onwards small parcels of land were sold off one by one to raise money but the majority of the estate did stay intact untill the estate was vacated and sold by auction in 9 lots on 25th October 1949.
I understand that Linley Hall was used for a while as a rest home for the elderly, however, the building was in a poor state of repair and was suffering from subsidence possibly caused by coal mining carried out in the early 1900s. In about 1960 Linley Hall was demolished and shortly afterwards a new smaller house was built over the existing cellars. I understand that this new house is also called Linley Hall.
Further along Linley Road is a pub, which at one time was called the Caldwell Arms, then the Oasis, and has more recently been renamed the Caldwell Tavern.
The Caldwells resident at Linley Wood were as follows:
James Caldwell; 1789-1838
James Stamford Caldwell; 1838-1858
Anne Marsh-Caldwell; 1858-1874
The Miss Marsh-Caldwells (Elisa,
Georgina & Rosamond); 1874-1913
Maj. Gen. Frederick Crofton
Heath-Caldwell; 1913-1945
Maj Gen Frederick Crofton Heath-Caldwell died in 1945 and a few years
later in 1949 his wife Constance Mary Helsham Heath-Caldwell moved
out of Linley Wood, bringing to an end a period of more than 150
years during which the Caldwell family had lived there. Her son
Captain Cuthbert Helsham Heath-Caldwell arranged the final clear
out. I understand that very little was kept, as in a letter
that he wrote at the time to one of his cousins, Cuthbert commented
that he only took home two car trailer loads, mainly consisting of a
few portraits of family interest. The majority of the contents
were auctioned by the local firm of Louis Taylor & Son, in Hanley
but in his letter Cuthbert briefly noted the following items going to Sotheby's:
1. An Italian (15th century) head and shoulders of two women and a man.
2. A portrait of an Elizabethan Lady.
3. All the Queens and Duchesses.
4. Portrait of Thomas Bentley.
5. Some old books, rather mouldy.
6. A painting thought to be by Van Dyke but sold as school of Van Dyke.
In fact 17 pictures were sent to Sotheby's and 12 of these were put up for sale. These 12 were listed as the property of CH Heath-Caldwell in the Sotheby's catalogue for the auction of paintings in London on 2 November 1949. The other 5 lesser pictures were sent to Phillips Son & Neale for auction. The books were listed in a separate Sotheby's catalogue , 23 & 24 January 1950.
The Sotherby catalogue gives an indication of some of the major artworks which had been at Linley Wood. In additon we also have a very comprehensive list made by Maj Gen Fredereck Crofton Heath-Caldwell in 1925. Also a list of the contents of the library. With this detailed record we are able to look back at an example of an English family's country house, full of furniture, paintings and effects collected by a diverse number of ancestors and relatives steadily over a 150 year period.
The auction catalogue for the actual land and buildings reads as follows:
15 October
1949. Linley Wood Auction catalogue.
Staffordshire and Cheshire Borders, Linley Wood Estate
For
Venders Solicitors-
Messra Knight & Sons, Ironmarket,
Joint Auctioneers-
Louis Taylor & Sons, F.A.I.
Hanley
Congleton
Henry Manley & Sons, Ltd
Nantwich
Market Drayton
Whitchurch
By order of the Personal Representatives of the late Major-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell, C.B.
Staffordshire
Between Alsager
and the
Particulars, Plans and Conditions of Sale of important freehold
Agricultural and Residential Property
Know as
The Linley Wood Estate
Comprising
The Mansion
House with Grounds, Two excellent farms Oak Farm, 182 acres; Home Farm, 83
Acres. Swallowmoor Wood of 20 Acres, Accommodation land, including part of the
Alsager Golf Course, Cottages. Part of Bunkers Hill.
With possession
of the Mansion House, Woodlands and
Louis Taylor
& Sons, F.A.I. in conjunction with Henry Manley & Sons Ltd will offer
the above for
General Remarks.
(which shall be deemed to form part of the Conditions of Sale, but should any inconsistency arise, the latter shall prevail.)
Tenure The Property is Freehold
Situation The
Estate lies between Alsager and the
Viewing These
Particulars will admit to view (except
Wayleaves Receivable by the Vendor:-
(a)
£1 per annum from the Alsager Urban
District Council for Water pipeline, over
(b) 7/- per annum for Electric Light Poles over
Timber There is a wealth of Growing Timber which is included with the respective Lots.
Tenancies The
tenanted Lots are sold subject to the existing tenancies and all tenants rights
and claims. Tenants Fixtures, Fittings, and Erections and Improvements, whether
mentioned in the Particulars or not, are expressly excluded from the
Possession Possession of Lots 3, 4 and 9 will be given upon completion.
Lotting The
Estate will first be offered as a Whole and if not sold, then as catalogued or
in such other manner as may be decided upon at the time of
Summary of Lots
Lot No. Acreage
Total Area 362.162
Lots 1
(Coloured Brown on Plan)
One mile from Alsager
The Highly Productive Mixed Husbandry Farm
On the Cheshire-North Staffordshire Borders known as
Oak Farm, Alsager
This
Area
182 Acres, 0 Roods 27 perches
Or thereabouts, and comprises
A commodious residence built of brick and tile and slated roof and fronted by a well kept lawn and flower borders.
The Accommodation comprises Porch, Parlour with well grate and China Closet; Dining Room; Snug with tiled floor and modern tiled grate; Main and Secondary Staircases to Landing off which are 3 Bedrooms and Store Room; On the Second Floor are two large Bedrooms; Kitchen with red tiled Floor; Scullery; Larder; Press House and Store Room; Good Cellar; Blue paved House-yard; Brick and tiled Wash House and Vessel Shed; Earth Closet; Small Garden
Mains water supply (by meter) Rateable Value £30
Extensive Farm
Buildings are arranged in three
No.1 Range Brick built with asbestos and tiled roof comprises:-Cart House; 2 Stall and 4 Stall Stables; Loose Box and Mixing House with Lofts over all.
No.2 Range built of brick with tiled roof forms Meal Store; Shippon for 24 Cows and a Calf Cote
No.3 Range brick
built with tiled roof comprise:- Shippon with tying for 12 Cow; Fodder Bing;
Shippon with Heifer tying for 6; Loose Box with Loft over all; Bull Box and Trap
House. Brick and Corrugated Iron
Stack Yard
5 Bay Dutch Barn on Wooden Supports and a 5 Bay Dutch Barn on Steel Supports.
The Land
Consists of Grass and Tillage in good heart and lies well for mechanical working, and the productivity is reflected in the harvested crops now on the Farm.
Two Good Glass
Cottages, Brick built with tiled roofs and gables known as
Oak
Cottages
Let with the Farm on Service Tenancies
Each Cottage
contains:- Entrance Porch; Parlour; 3Bedrooms; Kitchen Pantry, Brick and tiled
Wash House with Brick Built Wash Boiler and Tap, and an Earth Closet.
Mains water laid on.
Schedule
No. on Plan Description Acreage
List of acreages of each field
Tithe Redemption Annuities (estimated) £20 3s 10d
Note This Lot
is sold subject to the Right of Way A-B on the plan, and continuing over
adjoining Property B-C, and thence over Lot 2 (No.548) C-D on plan is now
enjoyed and this
This Lot is sold subject to the Right of Way A-B on the Plan, and with the benefit of a Right of Way as now used over the adjoining property B-C and thence over Lot 2 (No.548 Pt.) C-D on the Plan as now used.
(coloured pink on plan)
A Block of
Adjoining the
Extending to an Area of 40 Acres 2 Roods 36 Perches or thereabouts
Mainly used for part of a 9 hole Gold Course by Alsager Gold Club, Ltd., who pay an annual Rent of £54 17s 6d to the Vendors, under an agreement which terminates on 8th May, 1952.
The Land
Part grazing and part Arable, is interspersed with Timber Trees and the whole occupies a good elevated site, with a long Road Frontage.
Schedule
Notes The Club House, Green and Tee Equipment are the Property of the Alsager Golf Club, Ltd and are excluded from the sale.
A Right of Way
is reserved in favour of Lot 5 over Field No. 542 Pt. (Points F-G on Plan) to
Field No. 541,and this
A Right of Way
is reserved in favour of Lot 1 over Field no.548 Pt. (Points C-D on Plan), and
this
The owner of the adjoining Property known as Long Style has the right to take water though a pipe line from a well in field No.548 Pt.
Rents described
(coloured blue on the plan)
The Noted and Finely Situated Detached
Country Residence
Linley Wood,
Talke,
Situated on the
Staffordshire-Cheshire border and occupying a very fine and enviable elevated
situation with panoramic
The property which is extensive is eminently suitable for a Private Residence, Hotel, School or other institutional purposes.
The Property stands in its own grounds well protected from the North and East by an extensive wood which contains a quantity of valuable timber.
The Accommodation of the Residence comprises:-
Fine Open Entrance Hall rectangular in shape.
Drawing Room (274 x 1930 facing West with pleasant open views. There is a blue tiled fireplace with a marble surround.
Lounge (214 x 153) also facing West with a copper and tiled fireplace.
Spacious Dining Room (223 x 180) by window with a single casement french window, antique iron and brass firegrate with a marble surround, tiled hearth. There is a separate door leading to the Kitchen.
Library (170 x 150) lined with bookshelves and having a firegrate with a dutch blue tiled surround.
Cloakroom with a lavatory basin and a separate half tiled W.C.
The Upstairs Accommodation which is grouped on two floors comprises:-
The Principal Suite of one Pleasant Bedroom (190 x 146) with Dressing room attached.
Five Principal Bedrooms-
Bedroom 1 (230 x 154) with a firegrate
Bedroom 2 (136 x 120) with a firegrate
Bedroom 3 (199 x 129) with a firegrate
Bedroom 4 (210 x 156) with a firegrate
Bedroom 5 (160 x 156) with a firegrate
Bathroom 1 Part tiled with usual fittings
Separate W.C. with low flushing suite.
Bathroom 2 with usual fittings and W.C.
Two additional Bedrooms with firegrates, one having a Dressing Room attached.
Useful Linen Room fitted with white enameled cupboards and shelves.
Housemaids Pantry fitted with sink and lead lined draining board.
The Second Floor contains:-
Landing fitted with most useful linen cupboards.
6 Secondary Bedrooms (126 x 124) (190 x 146) (185 x 130) ( 182 x 129) ( 110 x 79).
There are also 3 Staff Bedrooms and a Boxroom on second floor level approached by a Secondary Staircase.
The Domestic Accommodation contains:-
Main Kitchen (219 x 163) with a porcelain sink. Aga Cooker, Briffault Range, independent domestic hot water boiler, serving hatch to the diningroom, fitted cream enameled cupboards and dresser.
Servants Hall (190 x 143) with a firegrate.
Butlers Pantry with a firegrate
Scullery part tiled with a porcelain sink.
2 Large Store Pantries. Useful Storeroom.
Servants Bathroom and separate W.C. Good Cellarage
Coalhouse under cover.
Outside-
There is an Enclosed Yard which contains:-
4 Stall Stable, with loft over. Storehouse. Engine House.
Detached Brick and Tile Garage (270 x 239) with accommodation for 3 cars.
Large Coalhouse adjoining.
Detached Brick and Tile Workshop suitable for a Laundry.
Also a pair of Semi-detached Brick and Tile Cottages each containing Parlour, Kitchen and 2 Bedrooms. One of the cottages has an additional Scullery. Both are sold with the benefit of Vacant Possession.
The Gardens.
Have the advantage of well matured trees which surround the North of the property. There is a wealth of selected trees, shrubs and azaleas. Lawns, kitchen garden, sites of two tennis courts and rose gardens, etc.
Also there are
3 Greenhouses (180 x 120) (116 x 80) (240 x 156).
A potting shed.
Included in this lot is also the extensive Wood known as
Stonecliffe Wood
Situated on the
North and East sides, containing a quantity of valuable timber, Chestnut, Oak,
Fir, Birch, and Holly. Also Azaleas and Rhododendrons. This
Services.
Main Water Supply
Drainage to a septic tank in field No.22
Electricity by a private generating plant supplied by a Ruston Hornsby Paraffin Engine and Batteries.
Central Heating supplied by an independent Robin Hood Boiler.
Assessment Rateable Value £94 (including the two cottages at £6 each)
The whole of this lot is sold with Possession on Completion.
Schedule
No. on Plan Description Acreage
18 Residence and Garden 2.773
17 Woodland 3.937
149 Woodland 0.234
151 Woodland 3.372
10.316
Or 10 acres 1 rood 10 perches approximately
Tithe Redemption Annuities (estimated) 1ls. 4d. per annum
(Coloured green on plan)
A very Valuable
Plantation and Game Covert situated on the
Swallowmoor Wood
(Adjoining
Extending to an Area of 20 acres 3 roods 8 perches or thereabouts. It contains a varied selection of Trees including Oak, Beech, Birch, etc.
Schedule
Continues detailing remaining Lots.
Another internet site with material of interest is www.butt-lane.co.uk which gives a lot of historical information about the Butt Lane area to the east of the Linley Wood Estate.
If you have any information to add to what is listed please contact
me on jj@jjhc.info
(Home) (Record
of the rents for 1908) (List of Land
at Linley Wood 1913) (Caldwell
Arms Pub) (List of Contents of Linley
Hall 1925) (Linley
Wood Library List) (Sotheby's
Catalogue, Paintings, 1949) (Sotheby's
Catalogue, Books, 1950) (Picture of
Linley Hall)
In addition to this website I also run another website which provides a wide range of property services relating to people buying and selling properties. Services such as Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), Conveyancing, Building Surveys etc. It also lists specialist services such as experts for boundary disputes, party wall awards, schedules of condition and dilapidation, rent reviews and lease renewals, expert witness, electricians, etc. |