Knowsley Hall

En un regard

Le château en bref

Knowsley Hall stands at the heart of a vast walled estate east of Liverpool, in Knowsley, Merseyside (formerly in the county of Lancashire). Since the late 14th century the house has belonged without interruption to the Stanley family, holders of the earldom of Derby since 1485, making it one of the longest family occupations of a great English house. The present building is not the result of a single project: it is a very extensive L-shaped complex that juxtaposes a red sandstone wing of early origin and a large 18th-century brick main block, enriched over the generations by several architects. Its exterior appearance today is mainly Georgian, punctuated by round turrets and a colonnade bearing the Derby arms. The estate, whose park is mentioned as early as the late 13th century, retains 18th- and 19th-century follies and garden buildings. After housing the headquarters of the Merseyside Police in the 20th century, the house was restored by the 19th Earl and now serves as a private events venue, open to the public only a few days a year and by booking.