Marple Hall, family home of writer Christopher Isherwood

Few people know of Marple Hall for it was demolished, unwanted and uncared for in the late 1950's. The name lives on however as a school has been built in the grounds where a few foundations may still be seen.

The Hall dated from the fifteenth century, built for the Vernon family who owned considerable estates locally. Lack of male heirs saw the Hall and estates sold on two occasions and they came into the hands of the Bradshaw family. The first born sons of this family were all called Henry. It was the second son of Henry III who found fame. John Bradshaw was not born at Marple Hall but at nearby Peace Farm although it has been argued that Wybersley Hall was the birthplace. Educated at Middleton Grammar School and at King's School in Macclesfield, he subsequently entered the legal profession in Congleton. He went on to study for his bar exams in London before returning to practice in Congleton in 1627. He was to attain a number of important appointments before becoming a Sheriff's Court judge at London's Guildhall. Bradshaw was to become closely involved with the Parliamentary supporters and a good friend of Oliver Cromwell. He was president of the commission appointed to examine and put on trial, King Charles I. It was Bradshaw who pronounced sentence and was first signatory of the death warrant. Celebrity and great wealth was to follow although conflict with Cromwell was to ensue when he opposed the latter's attempts to wrest power from Parliament. He died in 1659 at the age of 57. After the restoration, Bradshaw was declared a traitor; his body was exhumed from its tomb at Westminster Abbey and hung from the gallows at Tyburn.

Henry Bradshaw III rebuilt the hall in 1658 and it remained largely unaltered until its demolition although some outbuildings were added by his son Henry IV. When Henry Bradshaw V died in 1724, childless, his brother Thomas inherited the estates. He died unmarried in 1743 and Marple Hall passed to the Isherwood family. Henry's sister, Mary having married Nathaniel Isherwood of Lancashire. The house remained in that family and was inherited by Henry in 1924 who only lived at Marple for a short time. An auction of the contents raised a considerable sum but the house was afterwards little maintained. Although married, Henry Isherwood was homosexual, had no children and subsequently separated, dying in 1940. He was close to his nephew Christopher who was born and lived at nearby Wybersley Hall and bequeaved the property to him. Christopher was by that time living in California so he transferred ownership to his younger brother Richard. Incidentally, both brothers were homosexual.

The Hall was looked after by caretakers for some time but in 1954 was offered to Marple Council who were not interested in taking on the property.
Vandalism and the ravages of the weather took their toll and by 1957 when the council did agree to take on the Hall, it was in a state of ruin and fit only for demolition.

  Christopher Isherwood (left) with friend, the poet W. H. Auden