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Feniscowles New Hall

Pgds 20131115 132757 Bricked Up Gatehouse
Pgds 20131115 133557 Cellar Exposed Within The Ruins
Pgds 20131115 134608 Driveway From Enoch Brow
Pgds 20131115 135423 Driveway Revealing Ruined Hall
Pgds 20131115 140234 Feniscowles Hall
Pgds 20131115 141000 Gardens From The Door
Pgds 20131115 141238 Gatehouse Looking West
Pgds 20131115 142256 Remains Of Gatehouse
Pgds 20131115 142710 Remains Of Outbuildings
Pgds 20131115 143212 View From The South Of The Hall
Pgds 20131116 194744 Walled Garden

Introduction

Features of Feniscowles New Hall include entrance lodges, specimen trees, shrubs and a garden terrace. Feniscowles Old Hall is situated nearby on Links Lane, Pleasington, but is a farmhouse rather than an actual Hall. There is a considerable escarpment to the rear of the New Hall. Feniscowles Old Hall is sometimes referred to as Feniscowles Higher Hall because of this.

Feniscowles New Hall has two entrance lodges and iron gates. There is a garden to the west of the Hall. Specimen trees, shrubs and a large lawn surround the Hall. There is also a low, garden terrace and a partially walled garden.
History

The Manor of Feniscowles was purchased in 1798 by Sir William Feilden (13/3/1772 to 21/5/1850) from a Thomas Ainsworth. Sir William was the 3rd son of Joseph Feilden and Margaret Leyland of nearby Witton Park who made their fortune in the cotton industry. In 1812 he built Feniscowles Hall on a piece of land surrounded on two sides by the River Darwen and protected at the rear by a steep rock face.

Sir William, also a cotton manufacturer, became MP for Blackburn in 1832 - 1847 for both Liberal and latterly Conservative. He was ennobled in 1846 as 1st Baronet Feilden of Feniscowles. He died in 1850.

The 1851 census shows Lady Feilden and 9 servants at the Hall. The eldest son, William Henry succeeded to the Baronetcy but later bitterly complained about the pollution that was fouling the River Darwen. He lost a long dispute with the Local Health Board and moved to Scarborough in 1877, dying in 1879.

The Hall remained empty for some time with attempts made to use it for functions such as weddings. By 1930 it was left to decay and this was exacerbated with the advent of World War 2 when lead from the roof was used for the war effort. Decay continued leaving the ruined shell that remains today.

Detailed history added 19/11/2013

Period

  • Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
  • Victorian (1837-1901)
Features & Designations

Features

  • Shrubbery
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  • Lawn
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  • Garden Terrace
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  • Garden Wall
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  • Gate Lodge
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  • Ironwork
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  • Gate
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  • House (featured building)
  • Description: The house is now a ruin.
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Key Information

Type

Park

Purpose

Ornamental

Principal Building

Domestic / Residential

Period

Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)

Survival

Extant