The east front of the hall is adorned with a raised terrace, from whence, sloping to an extensive piece of water, and intersected by walks, extend the flower gardens and pleasure grounds, which cover a space of 50 acres. The extensive pleasure grounds and gardens are laid out with admirable taste; the conservatory, recently erected, is a most beautiful construction, and forms an attractive object. At the termination of a fine gravel walk, and opposite to the conservatory, a Gothic temple has been built for the reception of a Roman altar, discovered near Chester, 1821. The Mosaic pavement of the temple was brought from a palace of the Emperor Tiberius, in the island of Caprie, by Lord Robert Grosvenor.
The stables, which form a large quadrangle on the north side of the hall, are erected in a style of architecture correspondent with that of the house, and are separated from it by a small shrubbery.
An elegant iron bridge of 150 feet span, crossing the river Dee, which runs through a part of the grounds, is likewise a real embellishment to the landscape. This bridge is exceedingly ornamental; it was erected by Hazledine, at an expense of about £8,000. From each point by which Eaton Hall is approached, it presents a picture of unusual architectural grandeur: the scenery by which the hall is surrounded heightens the effect; westward, the view embraces the mountains of Wales; and to the east appear the Peckforton hills, with the bold rock on which stand the ruins of Beeston Castle. The river Dee, winding in various directions, imparts great beauty to the varied and extensive landscape.
The noble house of Grosvenor traces its descent through a long line of illustrious ancestors, who flourished in Normandy with dignity and splendour, from the time it was created a sovereign Dukedom, in the year 912, to the conquest of England in 1066, always ranking with the first nobles, and having had the government of many castles and strongholds in that Duchy. The founder of this ancient house was uncle of Rollo, the famous Dane, and was one of the principal commanders who, in the year 876, accompanied him in his invasion of England. William, seventh Duke of Normandy, at the time of his descent upon England, in 1066, was accompanied by his twin brother Robert, afterwards Earl of Cornwall, and Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, afterwards Earl of Kent; he had also, for his immediate attendants, his nephew, Hugh Lupus, afterwards Earl of Chester, and Gilbert le Grosvenor, nephew to Hugh.
The present Marquis succeeded to the title in 1845, and is the twenty-second in descent from Gilbert le Grosvenor, the companion in arms of William the Conqueror. His lordship, who holds the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, married, in 1819, Elizabeth Mary, youngest daughter of the Duke of Sutherland, and has, with other issue, a son and heir, Hugh Lupus, Earl Grosvenor, one of the representatives in Parliament for Chester, for which so many members of this illustrious house have been elected.
Admission to visit Eaton Hall can only be obtained by tickets, which may be had of the principal booksellers, and at the hotels, at fixed prices; the proceeds being distributed by the Marquis of Westminster to public charities.
For further particulars respecting Eaton Hall, see “Hicklin’s Guide to Eaton Hall,” price 1s., published by Hugh Roberts, Eastgate Row, Chester.
ECCLESTON
is a beautiful little village, about two miles from Chester, much resorted to by the inhabitants of that city, and by strangers, from its vicinity to Eaton Hall. The chief object of attraction is the church, built in 1810 by the late Marquis of Westminster. The interior of the church is chaste and handsome; in the north transept is the mausoleum of the Eaton family, and opposite to it their pew: over the altar is a fine painting, by Westall, of the Dead Christ.