Introduction
A public park, consisting of about 6 hectares of open ground and wooded walks. Few of the original features remain.
Originally the park was heavily wooded around the hall and had a large central lake.
By the end of the 19th century there was also a pleasure garden and a menagerie (no longer present). Animals in the menagerie included a boxing kangaroo and Chang the lion. The lake was used for boating.
Little remains of the original features, but the park is currently well maintained as a recreational area and was awarded Green Flag status in 2006. The site has a shrub garden near the main entrance, formal features (gardens, play area and bowling greens) on the upper terrace and the more informal stlye of a country park on the lower terrace by the River Irk.
The Bowling Pavilion is now a cafe.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
0161 770 3000Website
https://www.oldham.gov.ukAccess contact details
Public park
Directions
The main approach is from Nordens Lane running from the Rochdale Road to the south.
Owners
Oldham Council
Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UG
- History
A hall existed on the site from 1212 onwards and was the ancestral hall of Gilbert de Norton. Little is known of the appearance of the Old Hall, except that it was probably rebuilt in the form which it retained until its demolition by Sir William Horton in the middle of the 18thth century. The building which replaced it was brick built, with the main front facing south. The grounds as they existed in the mid 19th century were heavily wooded and the main feature was a large central lake.
The grounds of the hall were used as pleasure grounds during the first half of the 20th century with animals including a lion. In 1927 the lake was swept away in a flood which burst the banks of the River Irk and in 1939 the hall was demolished.
A more detailed history with photographs of the Hall and Park can be found on the website of the Chadderton Historical Society.
- Features & Designations
Designations
Green Flag Award
- Reference: Awarded in 2006
Features
- Hall (featured building)
- Description: The most recent hall was brick built with the main front facing south.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Boating Lake
- Sports Pavilion
- Garden Terrace
- Description: Upper and lower terraces
- Gateway
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Recreational/sport
Principal Building
Recreational
Survival
Part: ground/below ground level remains
Hectares
6
Open to the public
Yes
Electoral Ward
Chadderton North
- References
References
- University of Manchester and University of York {A Survey of Historic Parks and Gardens in greater Manchester} 1994 A Survey of Historic Parks and Gardens in Greater Manchester