Woodbank, Stockport
Listed building in Greater Manchester, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Woodbank is a historical villa and park in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. The surrounding park, east of Vernon Park, is known as Woodbank Memorial Park and covers approximately 49 acres (20 ha).[1]
| Woodbank | |
|---|---|
South entrance front with curved portico | |
  Location within Greater Manchester | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Location | Stockport, Greater Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53.41001°N 2.13112°W |
| Construction started | 1812 |
| Completed | 1814 |
| Client | Peter Marsland |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Thomas Harrison |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | Woodbank Villa and entrance portico |
| Designated | 10 March 1975 |
| Reference no. | 1162994 |
History
The villa was built in 1812–14 by Thomas Harrison in the Greek Revival style for Peter Marsland, a prominent industrialist in the Stockport area.[2] Woodbank was used as a museum and art gallery at one time.[3]
In 1924 Woodbank Villa was donated to the County Borough of Stockport; the parkland it stands in had been gifted to the council following the First World War.[4]
It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a Grade II* listed building, having been designated on 10 March 1975.[2]
Woodbank Villa was used as council offices before being left vacant in 2009; a developer made plans to convert the hall into apartments in 2021, though the proposals were not taken forward.[5]
In December 2023, Stockport Council stated that they had allocated £250,000 to "address the decline of the historic hall", with asbestos removal having been completed before further works which include the demolition of modern outbuildings.[6]
As of 2025[update], Woodbank Villa is on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register, its condition classed as "very bad", with an "immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric."[7]
Gallery
River Goyt in Woodbank Park
