Timperley Family History and Genealogy
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Excavation of Timperley Old Hall
Excavation at Timperley Hall moated sight 1989
The extant site of Timperley Old Hall is in all probability little changed from its original form, situated in a secluded area south of the main Timperley road, south-west of the modern golf course, on land owned by Trafford Borough Council. In appearance the site is represented by a raised platform of deposited clay, approximately 45 x 45 meters square, surrounded on all sides by a moat varying in width of between 10 and 25 meters. The platform is enclosed on its inner northern and western sides by a brick curtain wall 3 meters in height with a narrow doorway piercing the north wall. Access to the site is gained on the north side over the moat via a brick two pier arched bridge constructed on sandstone foundations, reduced in width to two-thirds of its original size. The present appearance of the moat is flat bottomed and approximately 1 meter deep. Its water level, however, can be controlled by inlet and outlet sluices situated at the south-east and south-west comers, fed by a fresh water tributary from the Timperley brook. The very obvious moat and its scale implies that its functional purpose was the enclosure of a substantial dwelling, yet today no such structure is to be seen. Nor indeed is there any corroboration of an eyewitness account of a building. Similarly, an 1801 enclosure map, which accurately depicts the moat in its present form, lacks any record of a building.
The initial chronology of the first season's work (1989) has produced one very clear result. That is the last period of domestic occupation upon the site of the Timperley Old Hall, manifest by a brick building dating from the late 1690s, attested by its vernacular design and corroborated by a contemporaneous pottery assemblage. The criteria for its sequence post-dating an earlier structure consists of a general deposit of pink clay that represents a general leveling up over the area so far excavated, preparatory to construction. We have the evidence of brick foundations laid directly onto the pink clay, the sealing with the same material of the sandstone sills, externally and internally, although it should be noted that these rest on a cobble foundation set within a construction trench and could have been reused, and they may, therefore, represent an intermediate phase. Little can be said of the internal ground floor brick partition wall arrangements, and nothing of the timber elements of the interior. The recovery of large amounts of broken sandstone slate indicates that the building was roofed with this material, while the survival of a brick sub-cellar indicates a later addition to the building. The partial recovery of a ground plan of a post-medieval building within a five week period of excavation during the first season may perhaps be regarded as a good result, given the scant documentary sources as to the site's history of occupation. The quality of the evidence recovered in the last week of the excavation, regarding the early timber phase represented by the timber well, and substantial square post-holes was, therefore, intensely rewarding and viewed as a bonus beyond expectation. By analogy, the indication of a long period of domestic occupation dating from the 13th and 14th century, has opened up fascinating new horizons for this season, providing an entirely new spectrum of archaeological information. It is, therefore, with a mixture of excitement and expectation that we look forward to our second season of excavation.
Survey of Timperley Hall moated site carried out in Feb 1989
The hot summer of 1989 allowed work to be undertaken in what is normally a very wet moat. On the east bank of the moated platform, the remains of a brick wall which may have served as a revetment was located at a depth of 3m but because of the narrow confines of the trench it was not possible to determine its extent. In the south moat, however, substantial sandstone and timber reverting was found. In late autumn clearance of undergrowth on the south-west comer revealed a revetment of at least three courses of large sandstone blocks adjacent to the moat Platform. Some 0.61m beyond, in the moat proper, a series of timber posts was located extending for a length of 3.66m. During 1990 we hope to uncover more of this revetment and to have the timber dated. The two pier span bridge is constricted of hand-made bricks on a foundation of large sandstone blocks. The bridge, 6.5m in length, is complete on the west side but has been badly damaged on the east side and is now reduced to two-thirds of its original width of 2.75m.
Stay Tuned to this Page! The South Trafford Archaeological Group is still compiling the results of its six years of research at Timperley Old Hall. More information will be added to this page as soon as it becomes available.
Etching of Timperley Hall standing on the moated site.
Don't adjust your set! The Etching of Timperley Hall (above) did not display because the South Trafford Archaeological Group does not have a copy of it. They need your help in locating this valuable clue to the design of that ancient Hall! The etching existed at least into the 1960's when The Old Hall Hotel was refurbished. If you know where this or any other sketches or information on the Timperley Hall at the moated sight may be found, please contact them or the web master. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
The information on this page was provided by the South Trafford Archaeological Group. They have just completed the excavation of Timperley Hall moated site (a six year project). They are a registered charity and extend membership to all who are interested. Contact Miss P. Faulkner, 7 Kingsmere Avenue, Levenshulme M19 2DB England. Telephone: (44) 161-224-7054
More Information on...
Timperley Hall and the current Old Hall Hotel
Families who lived at the Timperley Manor
Histroy of the Timperley Family Name