Tatton Hall ....... once the preserve of the rich and now a place to mix a bit of history with a load of fun

Now I am going to lay aside my prejudice for stately homes.

It is something which I have carried it with me since childhood and is based on that simple observation that all such posh places were funded by exploiting the labours of those who were doomed never to get closer than the estate gates and maintained by an army of servants and labourers whose contributions to the great house went largely unrecorded.

Nor do I totally accept that tosh about preserving the past.

So while some might argue that there is no comparison between Blenheim Palace and a 1930 semi built on the outer reaches of Manchester. I am not so sure.

But both have histories, both were built for someone to live in and both were cherished by their inhabitants.

In the case of Tatton Hall it is now open to all and run by the National Trust after the last owner, Maurice Egerton bequeathed the mansion and gardens to the National Trust on his death in 1958.

And for all those who live in south Manchester, the Egertons at one time pretty much owned all of it having begun to acquire great chunks from the 18th century onwards and only parting with the land in the late 19th and early 20 centuries.

All of which may seem a long way from a pleasant day in Tatton Park which if you choose the day correctly will offer up a shed load of attractions, from steam engines to the fun of the fair.

These Peter has captured well in his series of paintings on Tatton Hall.

My favourite remains that traction engine which reminds me of the time when steam was the thing powering everything from pumps and textile machines to trains and even to carousel rides.

Today it is hard to imagine that once that distinctive smell of steam and warm oil along with the noise and smoke of a steam machine was the backdrop to most people’s lives.

All of which makes Tatton Hall’s visitor attractions worth a visit, not that it over changes my views of stately homes, but I shall put that prejudice to one side.

Paintings; from the Tatton Hall series,  © 2011 and 2015 Peter Topping, Paintings from Pictures,

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