Earlier Houses: In the 17th century a house (the first house) was built for Sir Thomas Stanley, 1st Bt., whose family had acquired the estate in 1602. In the early 18th century a large, rectangular Baroque addition was appended to the 17th century house. Almost all of this burned to the ground in 1779, leaving only remnants of the 17th century house, today called the Old Hall, in the grounds. The second house, which is the primary focus of this record, was built nearby in the early 19th century.

Built / Designed For: 1st Baron Stanley of Alderley

House & Family History: In the 19th century the Stanley family were one of the largest landowners in Cheshire. The family's letters were edited by the author Nancy Mitford in the 20th century.

Garden & Outbuildings: In 1938 4,624 acres, which included 77 farms, were sold during a four-day auction. The Alderley Estate is most famous today because of the 1950 purchase of 350 acres by Imperial Chemical Industries Pharmaceuticals. ICI built labs and offices here which eventually housed 3,500 staff members and became a global center for cancer research. ICI's successor company, AstraZeneca, sold the property in 2016. In 2017 ground was broken for a new multi-use bioscience campus that will include 275 homes, shops, and pubs. Today there are over 150 science and technology companies based at Alderley Park. The 19th century Grade II-listed stables have been converted into a training center.

House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT FIRST HOUSE: Sir Thomas Stanley, 1st Bt., until 1672; Sir Peter Stanley, 2nd Bt., 1672-83; Sir Thomas Stanley, 3rd Bt., 1683-1721; Sir James Stanley, 4th Bt., 1721-47; Sir Edward Stanley, 5th Bt., 1747-55; Sir John Thomas Stanley, 6th Bt., 1755-79. SEATED AT SECOND HOUSE: John Thomas Stanley, 7th Baronet and 1st Baron Stanley of Alderley, 1820-50; Edward John Stanley, 2nd Baron Stanley of Alderley and 1st Baron Eddisbury, 1850-69; Henry Edward John Stanley, 3rd Baron Stanley of Alderley and 2nd Baron Eddisbury, 1869-1903; Edward Lyulph Stanley, 4th Baron Stanley of Alderley, 4th Baron Sheffield, and 3rd Baron Eddisbury, 1903-25; Arthur Lyulph Stanley, 5th Baron Stanley of Alderley, 5th Baron Sheffield, and 4th Baron Eddisbury, 1925-31.

Current Ownership Type: Demolished

Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No