Tattenhall
OS Grid ref:- SJ486585
The village of Tattenhall is situated eight miles to the south east of Chester. Tattenhall is an ancient settlement and was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The village's name probably derives from the Old English personal name Tata and halh, meaning "a meadow".
The village church of St. Alban's is built of warm red sandstone. A church has occupied the site since Norman times. The tower of the present building dates back to the sixteenth century, the rest of the building, ‘having fallen into great decay’, was demolished and rebuilt in 1869-70.
The south wall of the chancel contains a stained glass window which still retains some medieval glass and depicts images of St Alban and St Stephen. The sandstone sundial in the churchyard is of seventeenth century origin.
Tattenhall Hall stands on the edge of the village and dates to the early seventeenth century, the house was built for Richard Bostock, before 1622.
The vilage has three pubs, The Sportsmans, The Letters Inn and The Bear & Ragged Staff. It also boasts a group of houses designed in 1927 by architect Clough Williams-Ellis, famous for creating the Italianate village of Portmeirion in north west Wales.
The Cheshire Ice Cream Farm incorporates the largest ice cream parlour in the region offering 40 flavours of ice cream and sorbet. Gifts, toys and food items are available in the shop and the tea room offers refreshments, cakes, cream teas and light lunches.
There is a large outdoor play area together with an animal section including miniature horses, donkeys, goats and sheep. Children can enjoy the new state of the art playbarn “Crazy Daisy’s Fun Factory” alongside a children’s private party room for that special birthday.
Imposing Bolesworth Castle , (pictured right) lies 2 miles (3 km) to the south of the village and dates to 1829, it was built for George Walmesley, a Manchester businessman, to a design by William Cole and occupies the site of an earlier house. It was purchased by the Scottish businessman Robert Barbour in 1856 and has remained in the possession of his family since then.
The house and grounds were modified by Clough Williams-Ellis in the 1920's. The gardens at Bolesworth Castle, which contain one of the finest collections of rhododendrons, camellias and acers in any private garden in the north west are open to groups by appointment only.
Nearby places of interest
Beeston Castle a dramatic sandstone castle, perched on a hill, dating back to 1225 and founded by Ranulf, the sixth Earl of Chester.
Cheshire Workshops a visitor attraction providing fun and entertainment for all ages set in the picturesque village of Burwardsley. Candle making has been a craft at Burwardsley for over fifty years when these unique hand carved candles were first made. Ancient candle making skills are still practiced at the workshop.
Bunbury Locks, a working wharf with staircase locks is situated around a mile north of the village. The locks were once an important stopping place on the Chester Canal, which was constructed in in the 1770's to link Chester and Nantwich. The canal warehouse stands beside the locks. Canal Cruisers were once built in the long building beside the locks.