Clayton Hall, Manchester

Image: © Tricia Neal Taken: 24 Sep 2013

Clayton Hall is a Grade 2* listed building,a rare example of a moated, medieval site. It's in Clayton Park, Manchester. The original hall was built for the Clayton family in the 12th Century and it later passed into the hands of the Byron family (of which Lord Byron the poet was one, but he has no connection with the Hall). The Byrons lived here until they sold it to two London merchants, George and Humphrey Chetham. Humphrey is famous for founding Chethams School and Library in the centre of Manchester. Externally the building is finished mainly in red brick, with some square-panelled timber framing at first floor level. Viewed from the front, the right hand section is the older part of the building, dating back to the 15th century and altered in the 16th and 17th century. It was partly rebuilt and enlarged in the 18th century with further remodelling taking place in the early and late 20th century. The single storey painted white is the wash-house. The half-timbered end is a private residence and not open to the public. The whole building is council owned.

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