Trees at Formby Hall in late evening light

Formby Hall is located to the north-east of

Formby Formby is a town and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England, which had a population of 22,419 at the 2011 Census. Historically in Lancashire, three manors are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under "For ...

in the

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

metropolitan county of

Merseyside Merseyside ( ) is a metropolitan county, metropolitan and ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in North West England, with a population of List of ceremonial counties of England, 1.38 million. It encompasses both banks of the Merse ...

, in secluded woodland adjoining the Formby Hall Golf and Country Club. The present house, built for William Formby, dates back to 1523 but it is believed that the Formby family has occupied the site since the 12th century.

Early years

Over the years the hall has seen many owners and occupants. The Formby family lived at Formby Hall in a direct father-to-son line from the year 1110, with just a single break, when a cousin entered the line of succession. Many modifications and additions have been made to the original building. For example, the battlements were added in the 18th century by John Formby who took inspiration from the Gothic-style architecture of

Horace Walpole Horatio Walpole (), 4th Earl of Orford (24 September 1717 – 2 March 1797), better known as Horace Walpole, was an English writer, art historian, man of letters, antiquarian, and Whigs (British political party), Whig politician. He had Strawb ...

's home at

Twickenham Twickenham is a suburban district in London, England. It is situated on the River Thames southwest of Charing Cross. Historically part of Middlesex, it has formed part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames since 1965, and the boroug ...

. In 1896, the hall was modernised by Colonel John Formby who added the West Wing drawing room.

20th century

During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, the hall was continuously occupied by army personnel, with up to 150 soldiers accommodated in the spacious rooms. In the summer of 1949, the hall was broken into in the early hours through a ground floor window, with thieves taking keys from a bedroom and ransacking drawers in an office. The owner, John Frederic Lonsdale, quoted that "I wish I weren't such a sound sleeper", believing that the burglar must have been someone very familiar with the house and its layout. Among some of the valuables taken were silver ashtrays, cameras and cash. The hall was inherited by successive generations of sons of the Lord of the Manor. This chain ended in 1958 upon the death of Colonel John Frederic Lonsdale Formby whose sons had both died during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. The estate was inherited by an Australian nephew but then fell into disrepair. In the 1970s, John Moores Junior leased the hall and the lands and used it as a home to house children from the crowded areas of inner city Liverpool.

Dereliction and refurbishment

By the 1980s, the hall was once again disused and fell into dereliction. After this, Richard Irving acquired the whole Formby estate. At that time it was a run down collection of derelict buildings and overgrown land. After two years he sold the Hall to another local businessman, who bought it as ‘site as seen’ without even conducting a survey and has since restored the hall to its former glory. The remaining land was sold to other local businessmen who developed a golf course.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Formby Hall
at Images of England, English Heritage
Formby Hall Golf Club
adjacent championship golf course Country houses in Merseyside Grade II* listed buildings in Merseyside Formby

Early years

20th century

Dereliction and refurbishment

See also

References

External links