Lancashire house named one of the country's most endangered Victorian buildings
Horncliffe House was once the home of a mill owner
Last updated 14th Dec 2021
A house in Lancashire has made the list of the Top 10 most endangered buildings in the country, according to the Victorian Society.
Horncliffe House was originally built as a private dwelling for Henry Hoyle Hardman, who was a local mill owner and businessman in 1869.
The building has gone through several uses, including an old people’s home and hotel, before closing in 2007.
In 2008, an application to convert it back to a single residence was rejected, and the house was subsequently abandoned.
A fire in 2019 devested the interior, which by then was already seriously run down.
Some other buildings in the North include Oldham Equitable Cooperative Society in Oldham, and the Coal Drops in Halifax.
Victorian Society president Griff Rhys Jones said: “Horncliffe House is a beautiful building with an unlucky history.
"The tragic fire that destroyed most of its interior was almost the last nail in its coffin, but the exterior still shows its grand history and potential for salvation.
"This is Horncliffe’s House’s last chance. Extensive works need to be done to make sure it continues to survive, but its easy-access location just off the A56, and striking appearance, would make it an ideal restoration project."
The Society president added: "It would be wonderful to find a business or individual willing to take up this challenge and bring this fascinating piece of Lancashire’s history back to life.”
The Top 10 most endangered Victorian buildings in England and Wales:
Coal Drops, Halifax
Halifax Coal Drops were built for the Ovenden and Halifax Junction Railway Co. in 1874 and are an important part of the town's industrial history.
Horncliffe House, Lancashire
Horncliffe House was originally built in 1869 as a private dwelling for Henry Hoyle Hardman, a local mill owner and businessman,
Healings Flour Mill and Warehouses, Tewkesbury
Healings Flour Mill and Warehouses was designed by W.H. James of Tewkesbury for Samuel Healing and Son and was built circa 1865.
Icknield Street School, Birmingham
The Icknield Street School was designed by J.H. Chamberlain of Martin and Chamberlain in 1883 who created several of Birmingham's now listed or lost Victorian buildings.
Indoor Market, Burslem, Stoke on Trent
Burslem indoor market's gothic design and ironwork that was built in 1897 is reminiscent of King's Cross station in London.
Jones & Higgins Department Store, London
The Jones and Higgins Department store opened on the corner of Rye Lane and Peckham High Street in 1867 and formed a key part of a 'Golden Mile' of shops that rivalled Oxford Street. The clock tower was designed by Southwark architects Henry Jarvis & Sons.
Minley Home Farm, Hampshire
The Minley Home Farm was completed circa 1896 to the designs of Arthur Castings, associate to the renowned George Devey, who worked on other buildings in the estate.
Oldham Equitable Cooperative Society (Hill Stores), Oldham
Oldham Equitable Cooperative Society (Hill Stores) commissioned Thomas Taylor to build what would be one of the largest buildings in the area, it was then completed in 1900.
Church of St Helen, Biscathorpe, Lincolnshire
The Church of St Helen, Biscathorpe was rebuilt on the site of the old church in 1847 by W.A. Nicholson in a fanciful Gothic style.
Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff
Architects Oatley and Skinner of Bristol designed the hospital with its ornate interiors in 1902. It first opened in 1908 as 'Cardiff Lunatic Asylum', in the typical style for medical facilities.