Haslington Hall

07/02/2026

The mystery painting in the bathroom

In the lady’s bathroom is a beautiful painting on the wall, so hasn’t been removed, I’ve looked at it many times but the room wasn’t well lit. On Friday we had a spotlight in the bathroom when assessing the ceiling, so we were able to look at the fine artwork in more detail. We found it to be in excellent condition and at the bottom a name Signed ‘Fiona Leech 98’ I started to research on Facebook and instagram for the artist and came across a Fiona Leech Vernon in Ireland, I thought this has got to be the correct Fiona with the Vernon in the surname !

Tonight I sent a message asking if she was the Fiona that painted it and hey presto it was.

Message From Fiona….

Hi Jonathan. I was so surprised when your account popped up on mine. So the background story is… I’m Irish as you’ve seen. But my husband JJ Vernon grew up in that house. I met him in ‘91 and spent lots of time there with his family. His mum Jane was a keen fly fisher and loved fishing in Scotland. She was a Murray with a Scottish heritage. She asked me to paint her favourite river. If I remember rightly it was the river Dee. She sold the house in 2005 I think when her beloved husband Tony died because she couldn’t face being there without him. She moved to Nantwich but passed away herself 3 years ago. We have lived in Dublin since we met in the early 90’s but used to visit a lot. Would always drive by the house when we were over. JJ is very touched to have read your message and hopes that you are happy there. I have unfortunately deleted the photos of the painting you’ve just sent. Could you please send them again if you don’t mind. Thank you so much for getting in touch.

JJ has all his parents photo albums here so I’m sure there will be many photos. Though there are quite a few albums so may take a while!
I’m amazed it has lasted and survived the fire. I never thought I’d see that again. You’ve unearthed a lot of lovely emotions today. Thank you. Jane insisted that I signed it. I remember that well.
When did you move in. It’s such a lovely house in a beautiful part of the world.

Here is Fiona’s instagram page to see her artwork… https://www.instagram.com/feltathome?igsh=MXJma3V1N2J3ejRsZw==

Hopefully i can get some unseen photos of the hall from the 70’s which I will share with you all.

03/02/2026

We just love our leaded windows at the hall, best of all the Vernon coat of arms in the upstairs gentleman’s bathroom over looking the lake & the Watts family coat of arms in the Armada Lounge over looking the rear garden.

Watts Family Coat Of Arms
Latin: Fide Vide Sed Cue
Meaning: Trust, but be careful whom you trust

A bee on a coat of arms, The Manchester Bee represents industry, hard work, and a "hive of activity". It symbolizes the industrious nature of citizens, particularly during the Industrial Revolution, and is often used to signify unity and trade. The Watts family had a large mill in the centre of Manchester on Portland Street.

In heraldry, a dragon on a coat of arms is a powerful symbol representing valour, protection, and a "most valiant defender of treasure". Historically, it was a title of supreme power among early British leaders and was used to denote the terror a warrior inspired in his enemies.

Crops on coats of arms, common in heraldry to signify agricultural prosperity, fertility, and the bounty of the land, frequently feature wheat sheaves (garbs), grapes, to***co, cotton, and various fruits like apples. These symbols often represent local industry, wealth, or specific agricultural achievements.

Vernon Coat Of Arms
Latin: Semper Ut Te Digna Sequare
Meaning: Always pursue / follow things worthy of yourself

The armoured helmet is featured on a coat of arms primarily for historical and symbolic reasons, rooted in the practical use of armour by medieval knights

The Crop (Sheaf of Wheat/Garb): This is a very common symbol, as seen in the Cheshire coat of arms. It primarily symbolises agriculture, abundance, prosperity, fertility, and hospitality. It represents a foundational source of life and wealth.

Coat of arms, featuring three yellow crops (specifically sheaves of wheat, known as garbs in heraldry) on a blue background, is the historic and official symbol of Cheshire, an English county.

This is one of the reasons why the hall is so special to us, the history of the custodians who lived and cared for the estate and were proud to mark their stamp on it. It’s a joy to get up in the morning and work hard to bring the hall back to its former glory.

10/01/2026

A Rare Historical Bird’s-Eye View of the Haslington Hall Estate

These old aerial photographs of the front and rear of Haslington Hall offer a remarkable view of the estate and its surrounding outbuildings. Taken sometime after 1930, the images show the Hall following its major alterations.

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Kitchen Gardens & WWI Bomb Shelter

Hidden from view behind a long beech hedge, just beyond the kitchen gardens, lies what was once an extensive allotment used to feed both the estate owners and staff. This area has since been transformed into the tennis court and orchard.

Just beyond the gardens, under the trees at the edge of the woodland—approximately 50 metres from the main hall, the WWI bomb shelter can be identified. Large and well-constructed, it was built underground using reinforced concrete walls and roof and featured two separate staircases in case of attack. Its size suggests it was designed to accommodate everyone living on the estate at the time. It stands strong to this day.

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Carriage Driveway & Estate Entrances

The estate originally had three main entrances:
• North Gate – the principal entrance, leading past the lake
• East Gate – further along Holmshaw Lane, linking the Hall to surrounding fields and the main road
• West Gate – leading into Haslington village, now mainly used by walkers

The carriage driveway, entered via the west gate, was lined with trees and gated access. It passes beautiful displays of purple rhododendrons before curving towards the roundabout, offering owners and visitors a spectacular first impression of both the front and rear of the Hall.

The south entrance, near the roundabout, would have been a particularly popular arrival point during the 18th century Georgian period, when grand Cheshire brick façades, large sash windows, and impressive three metre high entrance halls were designed to awe arriving guests.

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East Wing & Servants’ Quarters

By 1930, the estate was owned by Colonel Humphrey Watts, a notably considerate employer who encouraged by his father’s vision of a refined country estate commissioned the construction of a purpose built east wing for the servants.

This wing included:
• Five bedrooms
• A bathroom
• A direct link to the main hall kitchen

Prior to this addition, servants are believed to have lived in the second-floor attic rooms, accessed via an old open vaulted staircase, with five or more rooms on that level.

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Outbuildings

The Old Stables

Located opposite the Hall, these included:
• Four stables
• A first-floor access point for hay and straw storage

The Carriage House

Still largely unchanged in size today, though it appears to have been extended several times. It features:
• Five carriage barn doors (four facing the courtyard and one to the rear)
• Accommodation for the coachman

East Wing Stables

Situated beside the east wing, these consisted of:
• Six additional stables
• One stable converted into a heating room in 1930
• A large first floor, accessed by staircase, providing accommodation for stable hands

05/01/2026

Heating the Hall Update…

2025 was a fantastic year for the Hall renovations, with the completion of a brand new Worcester Bosch heating system. We upgraded from a very old one-pipe system, much of the original copper had unfortunately been stolen so we started again to a modern five-zone heating system.
• Zones 1 & 2 cover the downstairs areas of the main Hall
• Zones 3 & 4 serve the upstairs and attic rooms
• Zone 5 heats the corridors linking to the servants’ quarters and can also supply heat to the servants’ house in an emergency.

In addition to this, the servants’ quarters have their own separate heating system, as does the Carriage House in the courtyard.

We chose Worcester Bosch throughout the estate due to their excellent reputation for quality and reliability, along with the long warranty they offer. We have also used the same systems in previous renovations. All pipework throughout the properties has been completely replaced, giving us real peace of mind. Upstairs radiators are still to be installed, as those rooms need to be renovated first.

We can’t recommend Albion Plumbing highly enough. They have been an absolute pleasure to work with. This was not an easy project, as we had to use existing pipe routes and work through many head scratching moments to ensure the best possible system for the historic buildings. One particular challenge was the oil tank, which was previously located just outside the back door. This is no longer permitted, so we made the decision to move it 100 metres away, out of sight. This required extensive trench digging, but the house looks far better without an unsightly tank on display.

Looking ahead, once the Hall renovation is complete, our long term plan is to add eco-friendly systems, including solar and heat-source technology. This will take careful planning and will likely be explored in a few years’ time.

In 2026, we will begin installing 22 new cast iron radiators in the upstairs rooms and bring the system fully live, completing the heating installation.

05/01/2026

The snow has settled ☃️

04/01/2026

We have Snow in Haslington…

04/01/2026

A Refined Estate Arrival.
The main hall entrance has been thoughtfully redesigned to create an approach worthy of the estate. The original timber post-and-rail fencing had reached the end of its life and the narrow access offered limited visibility to the main road. With the removal of a dead tree, the landscape was opened up and the transformation could begin.

In selecting the new boundary, longevity and authenticity were paramount. Traditional estate fencing was the natural choice, timeless in appearance, robust in construction, and perfectly suited to the setting, while ensuring the safety of the horses.

The installation itself proved exceptionally demanding. Over 200 metres of fencing were set into ground that revealed layer upon layer of challenges: solid rock, broken bricks, deep-set stones and established roots. Extensive drilling and excavation were required, including the fabrication of a bespoke attachment for the mini digger to break through the hardest sections. The effort was considerable, but the result is striking.

The next phase will introduce a tree lined approach on both sides, new electric entrance gates with accompanying pedestrian access, and a York stone gate pathway for walkers. The edging has been finished with blue slate sourced from Penrhyn — the largest slate quarry in Wales, chosen to complement the hall roof. We are also sourcing two substantial one-ton York stones to frame the Haslington Hall signs.

The entrance now offers a sense of arrival that reflects the character of the hall itself elegant, enduring, and unmistakably established. Another significant milestone completed.

03/01/2026

Step through the old entrance of Haslington Hall and the house begins to whisper. As you move quietly along the hallways toward the Armada Room, the handmade oak paneling seems to watch you, silent, ancient, and impossibly beautiful.

These panels were crafted in the late 15th century, shaped by a master carpenter working with quartersawn oak, jointed and pegged by hand, and finished with intricate Tudor carvings along the top. Every mark tells a story. Every groove holds time. It’s believed the paneling once belonged to the original hall when it stood at the heart of Haslington village, before the entire house was moved, piece by piece, into its current form.

But the paneling’s journey took a strange turn.

As fashions changed in the 1800s, a later owner, most likely a tenant farmer, stripped the panels from the house in an attempt to “modernise” the rooms. For nearly a hundred years, these priceless Tudor panels were hidden away in the shippon, used to divide cattle, their history forgotten and buried under dust and straw.

Until 1930.

During renovations, Colonel Humphrey Watts made a remarkable discovery. He unearthed the panels that had been white washed, carefully pieced them back together, and returned them to the hallways—restoring them to their rightful place. Today, they look as though they never left… but they remember everything.

Among the carvings are three Tudor faces, hand-carved and full of expression. One bears a striking resemblance to King Henry VIII, but the other two remain a mystery. Who are they? Nobles? Craftsmen? Silent witnesses to centuries of change?

We’d love to know what you see.
Do the faces remind you of someone famous? If not, what names would you give them?

Have a look at the photos and share your thoughts, and please Like & Share to help us connect with others who love historic buildings and the secrets they keep. 🕯️🏰

01/01/2026

✨ Happy New Year from Haslington Hall ✨
As we step into 2026, we’re proudly entering year two of our restoration journey. While it may seem quiet from the outside when you pass by, a huge amount of careful, skilled work has been taking place behind the scenes—both inside and out.
It’s hard to believe that we only began renovations on 1st September 2024. In just 14 months, the progress has been extraordinary. Here’s a snapshot of what’s been achieved so far:

- 60% of the hall fully restored (20 rooms in total)
- 70% of the roof restored, oak repairs, re-slated and re-tiled
- 4 bedrooms fully renovated
- Installation of a new oak kitchen and oak boot room
- Lounge renovated, plus completion of the Butler’s Pantry, Boot Room, and second lounge
- 6 ground-floor hallways restored
- 1 new bathroom installed
- Three brand-new central heating systems across the hall, servants’ quarters, and carriage house
- 42 radiators, 3 new boilers, and a new hot water system
- Swimming pool fully renovated
- All windows refurbished
- Extensive carpentry work, including repairs to doors, frames, and skirting
- Lime render repairs and painting to the front elevation
- Removal of outdated satellite dishes, aerials, cabling, and external fixtures
- Installation of a new underground drainage system and modern water supply to the main road, with ducting for future services
- Driveways renewed with new pink stone
- Gardens and grounds maintained, with plans underway for new fencing, planting, and trees
- New estate entrance fencing installed
- Repairs to two first-floor bedrooms following water damage, including lath repairs and lime plastering, now ready for decoration
- Installation of a state-of-the-art fire alarm and heat management system in every room, alongside CCTV and a fully monitored alarm system
- Preparation of recently cut oak beams for restoring the remaining roof structure and the fire-damaged dining room ceiling

We’re incredibly proud of how far Haslington Hall has come and this is only the beginning.
✨ Let’s see what we can achieve in 2026! ✨

28/12/2025

Part of 2025 kept us extremely busy with the renovation of more than 40 windows across the Main Hall, the Carriage House, and the Servants’ Quarters. In the Carriage House, many of the wooden windows had suffered from years of neglect, with most of the glass smashed. We made the decision to repair the original frames rather than replace them, preserving their character while restoring their integrity.
The windows in the Servants’ Quarters had all been painted shut, so a great deal of time was spent carefully stripping back the Crittall frames and polishing the brass fittings.
We also have some wonderful news: every leaded window in the Hall, both front and rear, has now been fully repaired.

27/12/2025

26/12/2025

Merry Christmas from Haslington Hall. We hope everyone has had a good year and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.
We’ve made really good progress on the house and the estate throughout 2025, which I’ll be sharing over the coming weeks while I’m off. We’re looking forward to the challenges of next year, but for now we’re enjoying a well-earned break with family.