The Old Vicarage

About The Old Vicarage

Astley Old Vicarage is steeped in local history. Part of the house was built in Tudor times before being extended in a Georgian vernacular style in the C18. The house and surrounding area, including Dam House, had close links with both the Anglican and Roman Catholic Church at the time of the martyrdom of St Ambrose Barlow who was captured close by and executed in 1641. Rumours of hauntings and a secret tunnel between the two houses persist to this day.
The house and gardens were the focal point of Astley life, including hosting the celebrations for the May Queen, before falling into disrepair following the relocation of the Church after a fire destroyed it in the 1960’s.
Situated in the heart of the Astley conservation area the house and gardens have now been restored and the topiary, planting and hedging are maturing to compliment the surrounding woodland. The present owners have developed a series of garden areas or rooms which vary from the formal to transitional planting into the informal, shaded, stream side, woodland area to the rear. The garden design incorporates a number of sculptures and sitting areas as focal points of interest. Details of the listing of the house and it’s surroundings are obtainable through English Heritage and Wikipedia
.