Burn / Bourne Hall

There is no known building date for Burn Hall as it appears that far from being just one Hall, it was a succession of buildings which were either rebuilt or remodelled over the centuries.  It is documented that a Hall has stood at Burn since at least 1345 but what, if any, of that building remained prior to its demolition is not known.

John Westby of Mowbreck Hall in Kirkham Parish is suggested to be the builder of the final Hall prior to his death in 1512, although additional phases of building continued into the 19th century.  Despite owning Burn Hall the Westby family’s main residence was Mowbreck Hall and it seems Burn Hall was used more as a reatreat and hunting residence.  At the time Burn Hall would have been surrounded by open land and marshes with unspoilt views.

Bourne Hall

from

A Pictorial Review of Thornton Cleveleys

Thornton Cleveleys UDC

The domestic chapel at Burn had a polished oak slab over the doorway with an inscription in Latin which read; ‘I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness’.  The walls were panelled in oak carved with shields and foliage and the plastered ceiling was moulded with vine leaves and clusters of grapes. The chapel was later demolished to prevent a nearby cheese room from becoming infested with rats.

Burn Hall remained with the Westby family for generations and on the death of John Westby in 1722 it was inherited by his daughter Anne who was married to Rev J Bennison from London.  Rev Bennison is said to have ruined Burn Hall with modern alterations which destroyed most, if not all, historic relics of the Hall.    Burn Hall was now a farm-house.

Section of Old Ceiling

from

A Pictorial Review of Thornton Cleveleys

Thornton Cleveleys UDC

Courtesy of Lancashire Records Office - DP 291/48

Sketch of a Shield with it's quarterings.  It is carved in Oak & is in an apartment at Burn Hall currently used as a cheese Room.  There is much ornamental carved work about it & the whole is surmounted by a Helmet & Crest.

By Will Lathom Oct 22nd 18**

Lancashire Records Office list this as the Westby Coat of Arms. 

Courtesy of Lancashire Records Office - DP 291/48

The above Inscription is placed in raised letters over the Door entering what was formerly used as a Chapel at Burn Hall and signifies in English "I had rather be at the gate of the house of my God, than I would be in the habitation of sinners".  On entering the Chapel through this door on the left hand are the two annexed figures beautifully carved in oak, one of these has a Guitar and the other with the Arms crofed.  The Guitar & some parts of these figures are mutilated.

Taken by Will Lathom

Oct 22nd 1817

The above inscription is taken from Psalm 84.  The last word should read 'peccatorum' so has either been shortened or has a section removed.

Courtesy of Lancashire Records Office - DP 291/47

Sketch of Burn Hall near Poulton le Fylde. Lancashire.  It stands pleasantly elevated above the flat peninsula which formed by the Sea & River Wyre.  This was once the residence of a family of some note.  At present it is in the occupation of a respectable Farmer.

By William Lathom Oct 22nd 1817

Courtesy of Lancashire Records Office - DP 291/47

Sketch of Burn Hall near Poulton le Fylde. Lancashire.  Taken from the N.W: __ By William Lathom Oct 22nd 1817

Burn Hall was later divided into tenant farms and after changing hands several times was eventually acquired by ICI.  The building was left to fall into disrepair despite it being listed and Burn Hall, or Bourne Hall as the local Council renamed it in 1926, was eventually demolished in the 1970’s.  The beautiful ceiling, staircase and fireplace were removed before the Hall was demolished with the intention of them being reused elsewhere, but they never were.  Some of the land was set aside by the Council to become a Cemetery but this also never materialised.  With stories of secret tunnels and priest holes who knows what mysteries we would find if Burn Hall were still standing today.

Burn Hall - 1892

Schedule of a Tenant Farmers Agreement for Burn Hall - 1845

Bourne Hall just prior to Demolition

Photograph courtesy of Brian Hughes

Bourne Hall being Demolished

Photograph courtesy of Brian Hughes