The Batemans moved to the Grange in 1840 from Knypersley Hall about 2 miles away.
In the middle ages a Grange was where sheep were grazed, this is how the area of Biddulph now known as" The Grange" acquired it's name. Monks from Hulton Abbey some 6 miles away grazed their sheep in the area until their Abolition by King Henry the Eighth in 1539.
The area became something of a backwater for the next 100 years until the Civil War and the bombardment of Biddulph Old Hall
The hall was the Home of the Biddulph Family who were on the Royalist side in the conflict.
Lord Brearton also a Royalist from Brearton Hall in Cheshire along with his family, who fearing for their lives, took refuge in Biddulph Old Hall as the Round Heads swept through Cheshire.
The Round Heads pursued Brearton to Biddulph and a long bombardment took place with a cannon the Round Heads called "Roaring Meg".
Ultimately the Hall was destroyed in the bombardment and peace settled on the area for another 200 years.
This is when the Batemans moved in to transform a tranquil valley into what has become a world class Garden.
The now fully restored Gardens are in the ownership of the National Trust and are open to the public, with up to 250,000 visitors a year enjoying the splendor that is
The above link is provided with the kind permission of Dr Tim Rhodus
Ohio State University
