Tabley House - Grounds

Grounds

The grounds cover an area of about 240 hectares (590 acres) and are listed Grade II in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. What remains of Tabley Old Hall consists of its shell in three storeys, constructed in red English garden wall bond brick with stone dressings. The ruin is listed at Grade II*, and its moated site and gatehouse are a scheduled monument. To the north of the Old Hall is Moat Farm. One of the farm buildings, dating from the mid-17th century, is listed at Grade II. By Tabley Mere is a boathouse in brick with stone dressings, but lacking a roof, in Gothic style; it is listed at Grade II. On an island in the mere is a folly tower, dating from about 1780, constructed in red brick. It is a circular structure in three storeys, with machicolations and battlements at its summit. The folly is also listed at Grade II.

To the north of Tabley House, off Chester Road, are two entrance lodges, each of which is listed at Grade II. The White Lodge dates from about 1770 and was probably designed by John Carr. It is constructed in whitewashed English garden wall bond brick with a slate roof. The Red Lodge dates from the late 19th century; it is constructed in English garden wall bond brick with timber framing, and has a tiled roof. St Peter's Church to the west of the house is a Grade I listed building. It is joined to the house by a linking building, constructed in 1927–29 in red Flemish bond brick with stone dressings and a stone slate roof. The linking building is listed at Grade II. To the south of the house is a sundial dating from the early 19th century constructed in stone with a copper dial and gnomon; it is listed at Grade II. To the south of this is a parterre wall, about 1 metre (3 ft) high, constructed in red Flemish bond brick, with piers carrying stone balls. It is also listed at Grade II. To the north of the house is the former stable block dating from about 1760, designed by John Carr. It was converted and extended in 1995–96. The block is constructed in red brick with stone dressings and green slate roofs. Although it has been altered since it was originally built, it has maintained its Grade II listing for its "group value", recognising "the importance of its massing and exterior character to the setting of Tabley House". To the north of the stable block is a dovecote dating from about 1760. It is an octagonal structure in two storeys built in red brick with a slate roof, and is listed at Grade II. The grounds are promoted by the Campaign to Protect Rural England.