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About Abney Hall
Abney Hall was built in 1847 for Mr. Alfred Orrell, a former Mayor of Stockport.
It was originally called The Grove. After Mr. Orrell's untimely death aged 33, Mr. James Watts, a former Major of Manchester, purchased the house in 1849 and changed its name to Abney Hall. The house was extended and visited by many eminent figures of the day, including Prince Albert, King Edward V11 and Prime Ministers Disraeli and Gladstone. Agatha Christie spent many a happy Christmas here and it is featured in her book ‘The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding' and was the setting for her novel ‘After the Funeral'. Sir James Watts died in 1878 and the last Mr. Watts moved out in 1958.
The Hall and park were sold to Cheadle and Gatley Borough Council in 1959 for £14,500 and became the Town Hall, passing to SMBC in 1978. The estate was reduced in size because land was taken for the motorway and because of alterations to Manchester Road.
The park is 213 acres and is bounded by the M60, Manchester Road and the railway line. The land is owned by Stockport Council (SMBC). It is designated as ‘green belt', has Local Nature Reserve status and is a Site of Special Biological Interest because of its wetlands. The park consists of marsh, woodland, scrub, wet lands, grasses and ponds. Chorlton Brook runs through the park.
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