Welcome to the second of the two Rainhill Heritage Trails.
It is believed that the name ‘Reynhull’ is derived from the name ‘Regna’. The ‘sub-manor’ was held by Roger de Rainhill in the 13th Century and after the death of his son, was divided into two parts – one part came into the possession of the Lancasters at Rainhill Old Hall, just off Blundells Lane. The other part became the property of the Chorleys of Manor Farm in Mill Lane.
After the turnpike road from Liverpool to Warrington (now Warrington Road) was established in 1753, the Ship Inn near Rainhill Stoops became the first staging post out of Liverpool. (Stoops are pillars or boundary posts placed at key points along a road). In the 1820s Bartholomew Bretherton, a prosperous coach proprietor and land-owner, established his house and a large estate surrounded by sandstone walls nearby.
1. Kendricks Cross
The area near the cross roads was originally known as Kendricks Cross. Tolls were collected where the route from Cronton to St Helens crossed the turnpike road from Liverpool to Warrington.
2. Rockland House and Tree Tops (formerly called Claremont) in View Road
These two imposing houses were built for descendants of James Owen in the mid nineteenth century. He was a Rainhill landowner who donated the land and the sandstone from his quarry for St Ann’s Church.
3. Rainhill Mount
This location at the top of the hill was called Rainhill Mount. Here the lane from Prescot to the Stoops crossed the route from Cronton to St Helens.
4. Rann Lea (previously called Beaconsfield)
This was one of a number of large stone mansions along Mill Lane occupied by wealthy industrialists. Rann Lea was built in 1862 for John Marsh, a chemical manufacturer, and was later occupied by the Bromilow family (coal proprietors).
5. Stone Cross (Listed Grade 2)
The Stone Cross stands on the base of an ancient ‘wayside cross’ where coffin bearers would stop and say a prayer on their way to Prescot Church. It was visible from miles around.
6. Briars Hey (Listed Grade 2)
The prestigious mansion was built in 1868 for John Crossley, a glass and alkali manufacturer. During the 1950s it was a hospital for children with heart conditions.
7. The Tower
Built as a private residence for Henry Baxter, a copper manufacturer, the property later became a private school – Tower College. During WW1 it was used as a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers.
8. Site of a Sandstone Quarry in Mill Lane
There were many sandstone quarries in the area. This one is now a small park. In the 19th century, many buildings and walls were constructed from sandstone which was quarried locally.
9. Manor Farmhouse – now Manor Public House (Listed Grade 2)
Over the porch is the date 1662, although there was probably an earlier building on the site. A pond is all that remains of an early moat. In 1978 Manor Farm became a public house.
10. The Stoops with Smithy Cottage (Listed Grade 2)
During the 17th century, a rural settlement grew up around Manor Farm. This location is shown on early maps as ‘Rainhill Stoops’. The smithy and wheelwright’s shop can be seen in the background of the picture. (‘Stoops’ were boundary posts placed at key points along a road).
11. Old Ship Inn
The Old Ship Inn, with stabling for 200 horses, was a staging post for coaches travelling on the Turnpike Road. It was replaced by a new Ship Inn in the 1930’s.
12. St Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church (Listed Grade 2)
The Church, together with a priest’s house, a convent and a school for local Catholic children was built during the 1840’s by Bartholomew Bretherton. He was a prominent Roman Catholic. His daughter, Mary Stapleton-Bretherton added the imposing gateway.
Bartholomew Bretherton generated his wealth from the coaching industry before the introduction of passenger trains. Below is an image of his famous Royal Umpire coach which travelled from Liverpool to London.
13. Rainhill Hall (Listed Grade 2)
This was the residence of the Stapleton-Bretherton family. The mansion was later known as Loyola Hall. Rainhill High School was built on land which was originally part of the Bretherton estate.
14. Church Place
A terrace of cottages built on land belonging to the Owen family. At the west end of the terrace is an older sandstone cottage dated 1691 which belonged to Christopher Kenwricke (Kendrick).
15. St James’ Methodist Church
The building was completed in 1860 after the site was acquired from the Owen family by a group of local Wesleyan trustees.
16. St Ann’s Anglican Church (Listed Grade 2)
Until the beginning of the 19th century Rainhill parishioners had to travel to Prescot or Farnworth to attend services. The original building which was paid for by local subscriptions was completed in 1838. There was a spire above the tower, but this became unsafe in the 1940’s and was removed.
