The History of Cruckton Hall

The Dovecote

Cruckton Hall already existed on this site in the 17th century. In 1672 Thomas Harries (died 1694) was living in Cruckton's "big house" as he was paying 16shillings Hearth Tax for eight hearths. In 1684 the house consisted of hall, parlour, kitchen and servants' wing and was two storeys high with lofts over.

In the 1770's, Thomas' descendant, The Reverend Edward Harries, had the Hall "almost new built", enlarged and in red brick, Georgian style seen today. He added the stable block and its clock tower and a dovecote in front of the house. He used some of the earlier house's internal structure as the ground floor. Ceilings in the present Hall's west wing include early 17th century beams. There were various additions until about 1900 when a billiard room was added. After the estate was split up and sold in 1929 the Hall continued to be a private house, owned and occupied until 1947 by Mrs Marion Cock, JP, (Shrewsbury's first woman Mayor). From that year until the 1970's it was run as a children's nursery by Shropshire County Council. The Hall has been a residential special school for boys since 1979.

Cruckton Hall School was founded in 1981 by Mr. Ken Butler, his son Mr. Peter Butler and the Headmaster Mr. Ian Barrett.

In April 1999 the school was taken over by Young Options Limited.

 

The Billiard Room

 

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