What happened to Smithills Coaching House?

IT was the end of an era as Smithills Coaching house closed its doors for the final time. The historic restaurant has been open since 1966 — but now it has been sold and plans have been submitted to transform the grade II listed building into housing.

Who owned Smithills coaching house?

Richard Henry Ainsworth
In 1870, Richard Henry Ainsworth, the nephew of Peter Ainsworth, inherited the house, and five years later he hired eminent Victorian architect George Devey to design the most significant improvements to Smithills Hall.

When did Smithills coaching house close?

Staff at the Smithills Dean Road restaurant, some of whom have worked there for 30 years, have been given their notices and told the restaurant will cease trading on August 27.

Who owns Smithills Hall?

Bolton Metropolitan Council
Smithills Hall is one of the best-preserved and most important medieval buildings in the region. It is owned by Bolton Metropolitan Council, who acquired it with the estate in 1938, and is open to the public (1999). A coach house and stables built on a courtyard plan (listed grade II) lies c 300m north of the Hall.

Who lived in smithills Hall?

Smithills was home to the Bartons for almost 200 years, until in 1659 the hall and estate was passed by marriage to the Belasyse family. The Belasyses owned many other properties around England and did not really need to keep Smithills Hall.

How old is smithills Hall Bolton?

58c. 1963
Smithills Hall/Age

Who built smithills Hall?

The first manor at Smithills was built by the Hulton family sometime before 1335, but the timber-framed manor we see today was built by the Radclyffe family in the late 15th century.

Who was the architect of the coach house at Smithills?

Probably by Devey, the architect of alterations and additions at that time to the nearby Smithills Hall (qv), which the coach house was built to serve. Coursed and squared rubble with some half-timbering in gables and stone flagged roof.

What is happening to Smithills Coaching House in Bolton?

FEW planning applications caused as much controversy in recent years as Smithills Coaching House. A popular restaurant for more than four decades until its closure last August, the grade II listed building started life as the stables of the historic grade I listed Smithills Hall — one of the jewels in Bolton’s heritage crown.

When was Smithills Hall built?

In 1801, the hall and estate were sold to the Ainsworth family, who were successful Bolton bleachers, and, under three generations of Ainsworths, Smithills was extensively rebuilt and modernised.