Gorse Hall

Gorse Hall was the name given to two large houses in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, England, on a hill bordering Dukinfield. The first house, "Old Gorse Hall", can be traced back to the 17th century and it probably dates from before this. Its ruins can still be seen. The Hall was once part of the Dockenfeld Manor held by the English Civil War soldier, Lieutenant–Colonel Robert Duckenfield. "New Gorse Hall" was built by John Leech in 1836. Today, both houses are ruined. Their grounds cover approximately 35 acres of meadow and woodland and are now maintained by a local community group called the "Friends of Gorse Hall" which has leased the site from the local authority, Tameside. The aim of the Friends of Gorse Hall is to promote the site for leisure, and educational use.

History

The history of the place is not well known. "Friends of Gorse Hall" is trying to research the historical importance of the site.

Tracing back to the death of Lady Dukinfield–Daniel, Gorse Hall passed on to her husband John Astley. John Astley was a famous artist of that time. From him it passed to his relative Francis Dukinfield Astley, a great sportsman. A hunter's Tower was built in 1807.

John Leech one of the many wealthy cotton manufacturers of the district, bought some of the land attached to the Hall from John Astley to build his mills, the ruins of which can still be seen.

Leech's son John, bought the remainder of the estate and with stones from the local quarries built the mansion called the New Gorse Hall in 1836. John had eight children, one being Helen Leech born at Gorse Hall. Helen was the mother of Beatrix Potter, the famous children’s author.