With snow underfoot; one early morning Rachel and I went to explore Hornclffe Mansion; the upper levels of the mansion are pretty much inaccessible unless you want to risk injury; the outside includes a large function hall and several jaguar cars laying out in the elements.
Horncliffe Mansion was built in 1869 by Mr. Henry Hoyle Hardman. Henry was the son of George Hardman, a successful local businessman, who built Oakhill House – RIGHT – now the Rossendale Museum, in Rawtenstall. In view of the fact that Horncliffe House as it was then known was such a grand home, it is clear that Henry was also a successful businessman just like his father and in fact, he owned Hardman Mill in Newhallhey which is just down in the valley and practically overlooked by the house. Henry died in 1888 but his wife Emily continued to live there until she died a few years later in 1896. The house passed to Annie Hardman (their daughter?) and she lived there until about 1903. The house and its contents were then sold to a Mr. Roland Rawlinson who owned Myrtle Grove Mill in Waterfoot.
And now we have a huge gap with no idea who, what or when we reach the 1960s!
At this time Lancashire County Council operated a care home for the elderly at the house until some time in the 1980s. Whilst it was a care home it was still known as Horncliffe House however when it was subsequently sold on in 1993 it was turned into a hotel and function venue, being re-named Horncliffe Mansions in the process. The operators at that time were Horncliffe Mansions Ltd. but the limited company was dissolved on 23rd. June 2009 and the hotel closed. It appears now that it has passed back into private ownership once again and apparently the new owner, a property developer, is waiting to hear if he is to be granted permission to change the house back to a residential dwelling. An amusing anecdote was quoted in the local paper – apparently, the owner started work in his youth as a florist’s assistant and used to deliver flowers to the house when it was a care home. He always said at the time that he would love to own the house!
At this time Lancashire County Council operated a care home for the elderly at the house until some time in the 1980s. Whilst it was a care home it was still known as Horncliffe House however when it was subsequently sold on in 1993 it was turned into a hotel and function venue, being re-named Horncliffe Mansions in the process. The operators at that time were Horncliffe Mansions Ltd. but the limited company was dissolved on 23rd. June 2009 and the hotel closed. It appears now that it has passed back into private ownership once again and apparently the new owner, a property developer, is waiting to hear if he is to be granted permission to change the house back to a residential dwelling. An amusing anecdote was quoted in the local paper – apparently, the owner started work in his youth as a florist’s assistant and used to deliver flowers to the house when it was a care home. He always said at the time that he would love to own the house!
As far as I know this location now has been sadly burnt down to the ground
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