Woodbank, Stockport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woodbank |
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River Goyt in Woodbank Park
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Town or city | Stockport, Greater Manchester |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 53°24′36″N 2°07′52″W / 53.41001°N 2.13112°W |
| Construction started | 1812 |
| Completed | 1814 |
| Client | Peter Marsland |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Thomas Harrison |
Woodbank is a special old house and park found in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. The house is called a villa, which is a large, fancy home. The park around it is known as Woodbank Memorial Park. It sits just east of another park called Vernon Park.
This beautiful house was built between 1812 and 1814. It was designed by a famous architect named Thomas Harrison. He built it for Peter Marsland, who was an important businessman in the Stockport area. The house was designed in a style called Greek Revival. This means it looks like ancient Greek temples with grand columns and simple, strong shapes.
Woodbank was once used as a museum and an art gallery, where people could visit and see interesting things. However, it is not used for that purpose anymore. Today, Woodbank is recognized as a very important historical building. It is listed as a Grade II* building on the National Heritage List for England. This special listing happened on March 10, 1975. A Grade II* listing means it's a particularly important building of more than special interest. Sadly, the house is currently empty and needs a lot of care to keep it in good condition.
Contents
Discovering Woodbank's History
Woodbank has a rich past, starting over 200 years ago. Learning about its beginnings helps us understand why it's so important today.
Who Built Woodbank?
The main house at Woodbank was built for Peter Marsland. He was a very successful industrialist. An industrialist is someone who owns or manages large businesses, often factories. Marsland played a big part in the growth of industries in Stockport during his time.
The Architect's Vision
The design of Woodbank was created by Thomas Harrison. He was a well-known architect of his time. Harrison was famous for using the Greek Revival style in his buildings. This style became popular in the early 1800s. It brought back ideas from ancient Greek architecture, like strong, simple lines and impressive columns. Woodbank is a great example of his work in this style.
Exploring Woodbank Memorial Park
The land around the Woodbank villa is a large and lovely park. It is known as Woodbank Memorial Park. Parks like this offer green spaces for everyone to enjoy.
What Can You Do in the Park?
Woodbank Memorial Park is a place where people can relax and have fun outdoors. While the main house is not open, the park itself is a popular spot. It provides open areas for walking, playing, and enjoying nature. Parks are important for communities because they offer a place for exercise and fresh air.
Why Woodbank is Important
Woodbank is not just an old house; it holds a special place in history. Its importance is officially recognized through its listing as a heritage building.
Its Special Status
Woodbank is a Grade II* listed building. In England, buildings are given special grades to show their historical or architectural importance.
- Grade I means a building is of exceptional interest.
- Grade II* means it is a particularly important building of more than special interest.
- Grade II means it is of special interest.
This listing helps protect Woodbank. It means that any changes to the building must be carefully planned and approved. This ensures its historical features are kept safe for future generations.
The Future of Woodbank
Currently, the Woodbank villa is empty. It has not been used for some time and needs maintenance. This means it requires repairs and care to stop it from getting worse. Many people hope that this historic building will be restored and used again in the future.
