Combermere Abbey incorporates the remains of a Cistercianmonastery, founded in 1133. The monastic core is believed to represent the Abbot's House, a timber-framed building with a hammerbeam roof whose timbers have been dated to 1502; the building is thought to have been remodelled not long before the abbey's dissolution in 1538. It became the country house of the Cotton family, who redesigned it in 1563. The building was remodelled and extended in the 1790s, and further extended and Gothicised in around 1814–21, with the addition of cement render, castellations and windows with pointed arches. Parts of the later additions were removed or reduced in the 1970s.[1][2][3]
This is a brick building with a stone-slate roof, expressed externally in two storeys, but interiorly is a single cell. The chapel was attended by Mrs Gaskell, who is buried in the churchyard. It is in use as a Unitarian chapel.[6][7]
St Mary's is a large cruciformparish church in sandstone, sometimes referred to as the "cathedral of South Cheshire". Mainly in decorated style with later perpendicular additions, it was restored in 1854–61 by George Gilbert Scott. The exterior has an octagonal tower; the interior has an unusual stone lierne-vault above the chancel, carved oak canopied choir stalls (late 14th century), a perpendicular stone pulpit and a later wooden example (1601). The church was used as a prison during the Civil War.[8][9][10]
Churche's Mansion is a timber-framed, four-gabled black-and-white mansion house by Thomas Clease. The two storeys and attics all have overhangs; the corbels in the eaves are decorated with carvings of animals. The upper storeys have decorative panels. Originally the residence of the Churche family, the mansion has housed a school and later a restaurant; it is now a shop.[11][12]
The Crown Inn is a timber-framed, three-storey black-and-white inn rebuilt shortly after the 1583 fire, and formerly the principal inn of the town. The street-facing front is flat and features close studding with a middle rail, lacking ornamental panels. There are slight overhangs at each storey, with carved brackets. The second floor has unusual continuous windows along the front; it was originally a single gallery, which was partitioned in the 18th century. An 18th-century assembly room lies at the rear. It was used as a place of worship during the Civil War.[8][11][13][14]
^The date given is the date used by Historic England as significant for the initial building or that of an important part in the structure's description.
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