Someone will know all there is to know about Park Lane House in Royton which I know is not an encouraging introduction to a story about an old property.
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| Park Lane House, 2021 |
But there you are, Royton is outside my comfort zone, and despite a morning wandering through a heap of historical documents, including maps, directories and census returns I am no further forward.
It stands at the junction of Rochdale Lane, and Park Lane, and dates from 1812.
It looks to have been a “comfortable” house, with two large rooms with equally large windows either side of the front door which sported an elegant canopy supported on two columns.
It still retains a small front garden, enclosed by a low stone wall and the tradesmen’s entrance faced onto Rochdale Lane.
Photographs from 2008 give a hint at how attractive that front garden might have been. Back then the stone wall was topped by well-trimmed hedges which hid a neatly laid out set of flower beds.
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| Dating the house, 1812 |
To the rear, there is a large extension which was no doubt added when the house was converted into “a Home for the Elderly”
According to one review “Park Lane House provides care and support for17 older people. On the ground floor there is a large lounge and a dining room and a small garden area for people to sit out in. Bedroom accommodation is provided on the ground and first floor. A passenger lift is available”.*
The entry must date from sometime before 2013, because at the end of that year it closed, and then briefly caught the headlines when the Oldham Evening Chronicle reported that there were plans to house a group of asylum seekers in the former care home.**
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| Park Lane House, 1854 |
Today it is in a sorry state, as Andy Robertson’s photograph testifies, with windows broken and boarded up and a pile of rubble strewn across the front garden.
None of which helps with the story of the house, which, I am guessing was built for a member of the gentry, and would once have commanded fine views down Sandy Lane towards Royton Hall.
That said by 1854 that view had been compromised by a series of cotton mills, a foundry and domestic properties, to which fort years later had been joined by a colliery, timber yard, and saw mill.
So perhaps even by then the house had started its decline from fine home to “other uses”.
We shall see.
Location; Royton
Pictures; Park Lane House, 2021, from the collection of Andy Robertson, and Park Lane House, 1854, detail of Manchester Road from the OS for Lancashire 1854, courtesy of Digital Archives Association, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/
*MostRecomenndeded//Care, https://www.mostrecommendedcare.co.uk/north-west-england/lancashire/oldham/royton/park-lane-house-8909146
**Secret asylum house sparks local concern, Alex Carey & Lucy Kenderdine, Oldham Evening Chronicle, August 6th, 2015, https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/93346/secret-asylum-house-sparks-local-concern
Best job I've ever had was working there!
ReplyDeleteThe house was owned by a mill owner (who's name I forget) , his mill originally backed directly on to the house (where the newer extension now stands), I'm not sure when the mill was demolished. The map you posted is incorrect, you have highlighted bethezda church, the house/Mill was south of this point.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, the map you posted says 'Mill' at the bottom, that's park lane house and the mill I mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI've found a photo of the house with the adjoined Mill but can't figure out how to post on here!
ReplyDeletePost your email address it won't be published
DeleteI am very interested in this house - have just discovered that on my granny's Marriage Certificate her address is given as Park Lane House & she is employed as a domestic servant the date being November 1912. That's all I know would love to hear who the people were that lived there then.
ReplyDeleteThank you I must revisit the story and find out more.
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