Drive and Stroll, with RON FREETHY: This week - Bramall Hall

NOVEMBER is one of those months when fog can descend like a blanket but I waited for a clear day to visit Bramall. I strolled the circular footpath around the hall and read up the long and distinguished history of the manor.

Before the Norman Conquest the Bramall area was made up of two manors under the control of the Saxon lords Brun and Hacun.

Around 1070, after putting down Saxon unrest with savage vigour, William the Conqueror gave both manors to one of his followers, Hamon De Masei.

For the next 800 years just three families owned the manor. These were the Masseys, the De Bromales (a relative of de Masei) and after these folk ran out of male heirs the Davenports, who were in residence for 500 years.

As I looked up at the hall it looked both ancient and attractive, its black and white half timbering especially beautiful in the sunlight. In some ways it reminded me of a much larger model of Samlesbury Hall.

Parts of Bramall Hall date back to the 14th century, especially the Great Hall and the Oriel Window. The Oriel is supported by a piece of stout timber called a corbel. The carving on this shows an angel holding a shield on which is the Bromale coat of arms.

There is also a male head showing long strings of oak leaves emerging from its mouth. This was a common thing in medieval times and is a depiction of the Green Man. This is a throwback to the ancient pagan Celtic religion. The Green Man was at the centre of what are now our Easter celebrations and marks the start of the spring growth.

Our Christmas celebrations have also "borrowed" from the Celtic ceremony to mark the day from which the hours of daylight start to increase again following the dark "days" of November and December.

There was, however, no darkness on this November morning as I strolled around the lakes and woodlands around Bramall.

The Davenports sold the hall and its contents in 1925. The buyer was John Henry Davies, a Manchester businessman. Davies was the president of Manchester United Football Club and it was he who was largely responsible for the construction of Old Trafford.

After the death of Davies the estate was sold to the local council who have looked after Bramall Hall since 1935. It is easy to see the affection the local people (and visitors) have for this place because the car parks and well-appointed picnic site and the children's playground were popular even in November.

In addition, the Stables cafe can offer a good butty and a brew of tea.

My previous visit to Bramall Hall had been in 1982. Twenty odd years is far too long and I shall do this walk again soon.

Getting there:

TAKE care with the spelling. The village is called Bramhall but the hall does not have the "h" in it. Hence Bramall Hall.

From East Lancashire travel via the M66 and then onto M60 towards Stockport. Exit at Junction 1, travel on the A5102 and look for brown signs indicating the hall. From October to the January 1 the hall only closes on Mondays. From January to Easter it opens at weekends.

The Park Gardens and shop are open free of charge but there is an entry fee to the house. The car parks involve a modest pay and display. As at Towneley, which I visited a week or two ago, the Old Stables have been converted into a pleasant cafe.