Gidlow Hall moated site

Gidlow Hall is a scheduled ancient monument in Aspull, within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan. The great hall was built in 1574 for the Gidlow family, whose name appears in local records as early as 1291. Robert de Gidlow held the freehold of Aspull at that time, and the family remained in the village until the 17th century. The hall still stands surrounded by a moat, though parts were demolished in the 19th century. Modern farmhouses now encircle the site, blending the old with the new. The hall’s surviving features include masonry on the south front and east wall, a fireplace and a stair-tower at the rear. A datestone bearing Thomas Gidlow’s initials marks the 1574 construction date. Evidence of a screens passage suggests earlier arrangements inside the building. The eastern extent and a porch were removed in 1840, leaving the remaining structure to reflect its original purpose. Visitors find a quiet moated enclosure with remnants of a grand hall. The stair-tower and fireplace remain visible, while the datestone confirms the hall’s history. The surrounding farmhouses frame the site, offering a contrast between past and present. The moat still encircles the hall, preserving its medieval character. The remaining masonry and layout hint at the hall’s former scale and importance.