A BRIEF HISTORY OF CUERDEN HALL

The original house on the site, dating from the 17th century, no longer exists although there is evidence of the ground floor within the basements of the existing house. 

The Charnock family of Charnock Richard owned the estates until 1521 when Richard Charnock of Cuerden and Leyland sold his manor to Thomas Langton, the Lord Newton. 

In 1605 Henry Banastre of Bank Hall bought the Cuerden Hall Estate from the Langton Family. Henry's daughter, Alice, wife of Sir Thomas Haggerston Bt, held ownership in 1641.

The present building dates from 1717 and was erected by Banastre Parker, son of Robert Parker, the former High Sheriff of Lancashire from 1710, when he moved the Parker family from Extwistle Hall. Upon his death in 1738 the estate passed to his son Robert Parker (1727–1779) and in turn to his grandchildren Banastre Parker (1758–1788) and Thomas Towneley Parker (1760–1794).

In the years 1816 to 1819 Robert Townley Parker (1793–1879), having inherited the estate from his father, remodelled the Hall according to the designs of Lewis Wyatt. This incorporated a significant extension to the east wing of the property.

After the death of Capt. Robert Townley Parker (1823–1894) and later his brother Thomas Townley Parker (1822–1906) the estate passed to their nephew Reginald Arthur Tatton (1857–1926) who re-designed the gardens, introducing a pergola and gazebo, a walled garden and pond.

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During the First World War Tatton adapted the Hall for use as an infirmary for troops, and between 1 May 1915 and 8 June 1917 it was known as Cuerden Hall Auxiliary Hospital.

The drawing rooms, with the Tatton family’s collection of old masters and portraits still adorning the walls, were turned into wards and furnished with beds, bed linen and equipment, whilst the parkland and gardens provided an area for convalescence for the soldiers, enjoying such activities as boating on the lake, haymaking, and picnicking. 

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During the Second World War, the estate was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and converted into an Army Education Centre. Later, it became the British Army Divisional Headquarters of the Anti-Aircraft Command. 

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In 1958, after nearly 250 years of private family ownership, the Hall was finally sold by the Tatton family to the Ministry of Defence and, in 1967, it became the Army's Headquarters North West District.

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In 1977 the Central Lancashire Development Corporation took over the Hall from the Ministry of Defence and established its own Headquarters, in the process constructing new offices and car parks in the grounds. 

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By 1978, the parkland and wider estate had been developed into Cuerden Valley Park. 

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In 1985, the Hall became a Sue Ryder Care Home for patients with neurological conditions. The Hall was sold to the its new owner in 2020.