An 1836 copperplate engraving of the entrance facade from "The History of the County Palantine and Duchy of Lancaster"
The entrance facade from a circa 1825 engraving
The entrance facade from a circa 1905 postcard
The entrance facade in 2024. By kind permission of Gareth Williams.
The rear facade. By kind permission of Gareth Williams.
By kind permission of Gareth Williams
By kind permission of Gareth Williams
By kind permission of Gareth Williams
By kind permission of Gareth Williams
By kind permission of Gareth Williams
By kind permission of Gareth Williams
By kind permission of Gareth Williams
By kind permission of Gareth Williams
The stables. By kind permission of Gareth Williams.
The portico of the 18th century Dower House. By kind permission of Gareth Williams.
Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the current house.
House & Family History: Heaton Hall was James Wyatt's first country house (he was only 26 when he was commissioned by Sir Thomas Egerton, later 1st Earl of Wilton, to rebuild the house). Heaton is famous for its impressive 18th century interiors, including the circular Pompeian Room (also called the Cupola Room and the Etruscan Room) with wall paintings by Biagio Rebecca, and the music room, which still has its original Samuel Green organ. Wyatt-designed furniture from Heveningham Hall fills the rooms of the house. As of 2017, Heaton Hall is listed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register.
Collections: The collection of 18th century furniture designed by James Wyatt for Heveningham Hall, Suffolk, once on loan to Heaton from English Heritage, is today in storage.
Comments: Pevsner called Heaton "the finest house of its period in Lancashire and one of the finest in the country."
Garden & Outbuildings: With 650 acres of parkland (the landscaping was designed by William Eames and John Webb), Heaton Park is the largest municipal park in Europe. The Heaton Estate was sold to Manchester City Council in 1902 by the 5th Earl of Wilton and today represents 25% of the green space in Manchester. The orangery is extant, as is the temple, an 18th century Grade II*-listed folly designed by James Wyatt that features Tuscan columns and a domed roof (the temple may have once been used by Sir Thomas Egerton as an observatory). The Grade II portico of Dower House (see "Images" section) is all that remains of what was once a sizable 18th century house; the building is today used for beekeeping.
Architect: James Wyatt
Date: 1772-89
Title: English Country Houses: Mid Georgian, 1760-1800
Author: Hussey, Christopher
Year Published: 1956
Reference: pgs. 19, 20
Publisher: London: Country Life Limited
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Reference: pg. 1114
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
Title: Johansens Historic Houses, Castles & Gardens, 2000
Author: NA
Year Published: 1999
Publisher: London: Johansens Ltd.
ISBN: 1860177166
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Grade II
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Holland family, 17th century. Sir John Egerton, 3rd Bt., late 17th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir Thomas Egerton, 7th Bt., later 1st Earl of Wilton, 18th century; Seymour John Grey Egerton, 4th Earl of Wilton, 19th century; Arthur George Egerton, 5th Earl of Wilton, until 1902.
Current Ownership Type: Government
Primary Current Ownership Use: Public Park
Ownership Details: Since 1902 owned by Manchester City Council
House Open to Public: Limited Access to House - Grounds Open to Public
Phone: 01612-358-888
Website: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/heatonpark
Historic Houses Member: No