DiCamillo Companion
England

Tatton Park (Tatton Hall)

  • Earlier Houses: In 1598 Tatton Old Hall [qv] was purchased by Sir Thomas Egerton, later lord chancellor of England during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I. Succeeding generations of the Egerton family rarely visited Tatton and the estate was let to tenants. Tatton Old Hall, which still stands, was replaced by Tatton Park in the 18th century as the primary seat of the Egerton family.

    House & Family History: At the end of the 17th century John Egerton (1679-1724) took his family's estate in-hand and built, circa 1716, a new house some distance from Tatton Old Hall [qv]. This new house was extensively rebuilt in the Neoclassical style by Samuel Wyatt and Lewis William Wyatt. During the late 19th century the 1st Earl Egerton was known for the large house parties he held at Tatton; the cream of society attended, including, in 1887, the Prince and Princess of Wales. The 4th Lord Egerton bequeathed the estate to the National Trust in 1958, "for the benefit of the Nation." The estate is managed and financially supported by Cheshire County Council on lease from the National Trust. Tatton is one of the most complete historic estates in Britain and receives more than 700,000 visitors per year.

    Collections: Tatton contains the Egerton collection of paintings, porcelain, and furniture. Over 200 pieces of Gillows furniture were commissioned for Tatton, many pieces of which remain in the collection of the house today; this collection makes Tatton the holder of the largest and most important collection of Gillows furniture in Britain.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The gardens, which are considered among the most important in England, feature a Japanese garden, an orangery, the New Zealand tree fernery, and the Italian terraced gardens and maze. During the 18th century the estate spanned 25,000 acres; it today stands at 2,000 acres. The home farm, which remains fully functional, uses traditional animals and the historic estate workshops.

  • Architect: James Hakewill

    Date: 1833-34
    Designed: Rostherne Lodge in Greek Doric style for Wilbraham Egerton

    View all houses

    Architect: William Cole

    Date: Circa 1820
    Designed: Garden folly based on the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates for Wilbraham Egerton

    View all houses

    Architect: Thomas Farnolls Pritchard

    Date: Circa 1760
    Designed: Dining Room for Samuel Egerton

    View all houses

    Architect: Lewis William Wyatt

    Date: 1807-18
    Designed: Completed House (1807-16) begun by Samuel Wyatt; Entrance Lodge and Conservatory (1818), all for for Wilbraham Egerton.

    View all houses

    Architect: William Eames (Emes)

    Designed: Grounds

    View all houses

    Architect: Humphry Repton

    Date: 1790s
    Designed: Grounds

    View all houses

    Architect: John Webb

    Date: Early 19th century
    Designed: Grounds

    View all houses

    Architect: Samuel Wyatt

    Date: 1785-91
    Designed: Rebuilt House in Neoclassical style for William Egerton

    View all houses

    Architect: John Barker

    Date: 1780-91
    Designed: Rebuilt House

    View all houses
  • John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. I, p. 193, 1854.

    John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. I, 1818.

    Country Life: XIX, 414, 1906. CXXXVI, 162, 232 plan, 1964.

  • Title: Country Houses and Collections: An Anthology
    Author: Beard, Geoffrey (Editor)
    Year Published: 2002
    Reference: pgs. 19-21
    Publisher: Middlesex: The Attingham Trust
    ISBN: NA
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 1995
    Reference: pgs. 100, 266, 446, 783, 1031, 1122, 1127
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 0300072074
    Book Type: Softback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Grade II*

  • "Brideshead Revisited" (1981 - TV mini series, as interiors of Brideshead Castle and Marchmain House). "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (1984 - TV series, in the episodes "A Scandal in Bohemia," "The Dancing Men," and "The Speckled Band"). "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (1985 - TV series, in the episodes "The Greek Interpreter" and "The Final Problem"). "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" (1986 - TV series, in the episode "The Empty House"). "Treasure Hunt" (1986 - TV game show, episode 4.13, "Cheshire"). "The Case-book of Sherlock Holmes" (1991 - TV series, in the episode "Shoscombe Old Place," as the interiors and exteriors of Shoscombe Hall). "The Case-book of Sherlock Holmes" (1993 - TV series, in the episode "The Eligible Bachelor"). "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" (1994 - TV series, in the episodes "The Three Gables" and "The Cardboard Box"). "The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders" (1996 - TV mini series). "Far From the Madding Crowd" (1998 - TV mini series, the Tenants Hall appears as the farming market). "Bargain Hunt" (2000-06? - TV game show). "Cold Feet" (2000 - TV series, in episode 3.7 the garden was the location of Rachel and Adam's country house wedding). "The Forsyte Saga" (2002 - TV mini series). "Ted and Alice" (2002 - TV production). "Northern Lights" (2004?). "Casanova" (2005 - BBC TV mini series). "Hollyoaks" (2005 - TV series, where Jake Dean makes a statement of his affection for Becca Hayton by entering in the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show). "In Suspicious Minds" (unknown date - TV production). "Blue Murder" (2006 - TV series, season 3). "Mobile" (2007?).
  • Past Seat / Home of: John Egerton, 1716-24; Samuel Egerton, 1738-80; William Egerton, 1780-1806; Wilbraham Egerton, 1806-56; William Tatton Egerton, 1st Baron Egerton, 1856-83; Wilbraham Egerton, 1st Earl Egerton and 2nd Baron Egerton, 1883-1909; Alan de Tatton Egerton, 3rd Baron Egerton, 1909-20; Maurice Egerton, 4th Baron Egerton, 1920-58; Egerton family here from 1598 until 1958.

    Current Ownership Type: The National Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

    Ownership Details: The house and estate are owned by the National Trust and managed by Cheshire County Council

  • House Open to Public: Yes

    Phone: 01625-374-400

    Fax: 01625-374-403

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://www.tattonpark.org.uk/

    Historic Houses Member: Yes