Oulton Estate
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In the early 18th century the Oulton Estate consisted of a manor house and a formal garden surrounded by farmland. Later in the century the farmland was converted into a park. The estate is now the site of the motor racing track called Oulton Park.
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[edit] Grounds
In 1731 Philip Egerton (1694–1766) inherited the estate on the death of his uncle, John Egerton (1656–1731). At that time the estate consisted of a house, a formal garden and farmland totalling 231 acres (0.93 km²).[1] Around 1752 Philip Egerton began to construct a brick wall to enclose the estate plus some additional fields, an area which totalled 315 acres (1.27 km²).[2] At his death in 1766 Philip was succeeded by his brother John, and then in 1770 by his son Philip (1738–1786). By this time the fashion for formal gardens had been overtaken by the concept of a landscaped garden with surrounding parkland. Philip Egerton commissioned William Emes to plan this for his estate.[3] Eme's plan was produced in 1770 but the work was still in progress 10 years later.[4] The plan was to do away with the formal garden, to divert the brook and by building dams, to create two lakes connected by a cascade. A banqueting hall was to be built on an island in the larger lake. There was to be extensive planting of trees and shrubs. The park was to include a bowling green, gravel paths and a boathouse.[5]
[edit] House
In 1715 John Egerton began to rebuild the Tudor house, which tradition states had been destroyed by fire.[6] Improvements to the house were carried out by both Philips. Around 1773 the gates and gatepiers which had been built around 1725 were removed to St Oswald's Church, Malpas. In 1786 the house was inherited by John Egerton (1766–1825) but the debt accumulated by his father meant that there was insufficient money to adequately maintain the house. He and his successors did carry our some improvements during the 19th century but in 1926 the house was destroyed by fire.
Since the 1950s the grounds have been used as a motor racing circuit.
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Bibliography
- Bostock, Tony (2004–2005). "Oulton's historic park and garden". Cheshire History: 48–61. ISSN 0141-8696.
