Story of Tatton Park which was used for RAF parachute training

The National Trust owns it and holds many popular events each year, such as the RHS Flower Show (North), classic car shows, game fairs and foodie extravaganzas.

The village of Tatton was a medieval settlement, going back as far as the Iron Age. It is now deserted, but its imprints can still be seen within the parkland.

In the 1400s, the Old Hall was owned by the Stanley family; by the end of the 1500s, the hall had been enlarged and was then owned by the Breretons.

In 1598, Sir Thomas Egerton, who was the Lord Chancellor of England under the reign of James I, purchased the property and estate from his half-sister, Dorothy Brereton.

The hall was two storeys high, L-shaped, and originally built of timber frame, which was eventually replaced with brick.

The hall still stands some three quarters of a mile from the main hall, Tatton Hall, within the estate and surrounded by a wall.

Old Tatton Hall (Image: Rose Hurley)

Within this there is a reconstructed cruck (or crook)-framed barn, the timber of which came from an old barn that was located at Clotton Hoofield near Tarporley. Both the house and barn are grade II listed.

By the end of the 1600s, the Old Hall was owned by Sir Thomas Egerton’s grandson, who decided to build another hall within the estate, where the Tatton Hall mansion is currently located.

Many alterations were made to the building over the following years, and by the early 1800s, architect Samuel Wyatt had replaced most of the building with a neoclassical design.

Further additions and changes were made through the 1800s, and the house hosted many elegant parties, where guests included both English and foreign dignitaries, including royalty. Tatton Hall is a grade I listed building.

Just to the north of the main house lies Home Farm. Over the years, it provided the main house with its produce, including food and other services.

An exterior view of Tatton Old Hall showing the south-east front (Image: Rose Hurley)

The farm retains a 1930s look and feel and is open as a visitor attraction with farm animals and a particular focus on rare breeds; it has won awards for work in this area.

Just over half a mile from the main hall, in a north-westerly direction, can be found a memorial stone which honours the significant wartime role the site served courtesy of Lord Egerton, who agreed the parkland could be used for RAF parachute training during the Second World War.

Between the years of 1940 and 1946, some 60,000 trainees made their first drops into the park from cages affixed to barrage balloons.

After this, they flew from Ringway (now Manchester) Airport to drop from planes, with some being dropped over Tatton Mere and into trees within the grounds to simulate natural drops when on active duty.

Tatton Park gate (Image: Rose Hurley)

Within the formal gardens to the south of the main house, there is an Italian terraced garden, a kitchen garden, a Japanese garden, and Pleasure gardens, plus those dedicated to plants and flowers.

The deer park on the broader grounds is eight square kilometres in size and was created by a royal charter in 1290.

The deer stay at around 400, with two species present, red and fallow. The activities within the park include cycling, sailing, walking, horse riding, and fishing. Near the main car park, there is also a children’s adventure play area.

Tatton Park in 2011 (Image: Rose Hurley)

The whole site remained in the ownership of the Egerton family until 1958, when the last Lord Egerton died.

He left the estate to the National Trust, the house for their use and the grounds in lieu of death duties.

The executors, however, sold the Estate, and the Cheshire County Council endowed a 99-year lease to protect the land. The site is now a thriving commercial endeavour and visitor centre.