[john crossley]

Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire is a magnificent example of a timber-framed house built for a substantial local family, the Moretons. With each storey jettied out over the floor beneath, the building grows alarmingly in bulk as it rises from the ground. The timber structure of the house has also been carefully designed to create rich decorative patterns over every external wall surface. Pictured here is the gatehouse, which stands on the edge of the moat enclosing the whole site.
This spectacular house developed gradually, its principal elements being erected in stages over a period of about 150 years. The earliest part of the building is the mid 15th century great hall, which stands in the very heart of the complex. Extending at right angles to either end of this - so as to create an H-shaped plan - are two wings. The essential arrangement of these was typical of medieval domestic design: the wing at the low end of the hall contained the services - the kitchen, buttery and pantry - and there was a series of inner chambers for the Moreton family at the high end.
One of the most extraordinary features of the house is a spectacular pair of bay windows projecting respectively from the great hall and family range. Each is decorated with intricately carved woodwork and a splendid crown of roof gables. An inscription records that they were built by the carpenter Richard Dayle in 1559 for the then owner, William Moreton.

[Markulous]

Nice classic shots of the Hall - keep meaning to go there as it's not far and it's a lovely building

[Dabhand16]

Super shots John

[MarJus]

Very nice set of photos!
Very nice building too! Must go there one day then!

[Chris H]

Great shots but I'm not sure I'd want the builder to build me an extension

[water]

A charming construction and grounds,well photographed to show it at it's best

[john crossley]

Thanks for the comments everybody.
I wonder if in 500 years time if the carbuncles we build today will be held in such high regard.

[Sparkymark]

Chocolate box stuff! - the description really adds to the feeling of involvement the images themselves invoke. Great bendy timbers