Former Top o'th' Town Farm, 142, Preston Old Road, Marton
Location/Address
None recorded
Type
Description
The farmhouse is all that remains of the former large holding Top o’th’ Town Farm which was originally over 124 acres. Two storey former farmhouse in 4 bays. Design similar to others of the period such as Revoe (now demolished). Probably cobble built, rendered and painted. Entrance in third bay with gabled porch. Single storey canted bay windows to main elevation probably later additions; first floor windows now modern inserts in original openings with stone lintels. Slate roof with two chimney stacks to ridge, one above second bay and one to apex of right hand gable. Set behind low wall with painted stone coping, modern railings, and painted stone gate posts. The farmhouse appears to retain its original footprint; interior not seen but allegedly retaining many original features including exposed beams.
Statement of Significance
Age
Appears on first edition OS map 1847 in the parish of Great Marton. The estate was gradually developed in the west along Preston Old Road but the main phase of residential development was in the interwar years to the north, south and east following the sale of the land in 1914.Historic Interest
Owned by William Shaw until his death in 1872. His widow and the estate trustee sold land opposite the farmhouse to JP Dixon where the locally listed Mount was developed, followed soon afterwards by the sale of the farm in 1898 to William Lawson, a local businessman and parish councillor. In 1914 the farm and some land was sold, and the name was changed to Merelands. The remainder of the land was sold for residential development in the 1920s and 1930s. Most of the outbuildings have been demolished to make way for development apart from a nearby barn which was converted to a garage. The nearby locally listed whitewashed cottages at the junction of Preston Old Road and South Park Drive were on the westerly edge of the estate and were probably built by Shaw for his tenants.
Date Listed
n/a
Find Out More
Find out more about this Asset in Lancashire Local List:
https://local-heritage-list.org.uk/lancashire/asset/183
https://local-heritage-list.org.uk/lancashire/asset/183