Smithills Hall

Smithills Hall is a Grade I listed manor house, [cite web|title=Smithills Hall |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=358003 |publisher=Images of England|accessdate=2008-01-04] and a Scheduled Monument [cite web |title=Smithills Hall |url=http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=43437 |publisher=Pastscape.org.uk |accessdate=2008-01-04] in the town of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. One of the oldest manor houses in the north west of England, it dates from the 14th Century.

Occupied by the Radcliffe family from 1335-1498, it then became the seat of the Barton family until the 1660s. Later occupied by the Belasyse family until 1723, it was then bought by Joseph Byrom, and home to his descendants until 1801. The Ainsworth family then bought Smithills Hall and lived there until 1938; having grown extremely wealthy in the cotton bleaching industry, they employed George Devey to carry out extensive restoration and extension works. In 1938, George Ainsworth sold Smithills Hall to Bolton Corporation; the property is still owned by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council and is open to the public.

In 1554 George Marsh a preacher from near Bolton was 'examined' at Smithills Hall, before being sent to Chester to be tried for heresy. He was found guilty and executed at Boughton in Chester.

ee also

*Grade I listed buildings in Greater Manchester
*Petrosomatoglyph
*Scheduled Monuments in Greater Manchester

References

External links

* [http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/smithillshall/ Official page on the Bolton Museum website]
* [http://www.bolton.org.uk/smithillshall.html History and photographs]
* [http://www.visitmanchester.com/find/product/en/attractions/-1/1047/1432.html Tourist details from visitmanchester.com]