Runcorn Memories: Dutton Hall which was moved brick by brick from Runcorn to West Sussex goes on sale

By Runcorn And Widnes Weekly News on Oct 29, 09 12:00 PM in 1900-1945

A TUDOR mansion that was shipped from Runcorn and rebuilt brick-by-brick in Ashwood, West Sussex, has gone up for sale.

Dutton Hall was bought by the Dewar family in 1930 when John Dewar's new wife decided their home was not big enough for parties. The mansion was rebuilt alongside their original home, now known as Dutton Homestall.

Tom Scaife, of Knight Frank estate agents, expects it to sell as a spa hotel, apartments or school.

He said: "It's one of West Sussex's finest country houses."

The house is for sale for £6 million and apart from a few strip lights it looks as it did when Hollywood stars Rita Hayworth and Clark Gable were guests.

During the incredible move sketches and photographs were used to re-construct the building.

Every piece of the woodwork was numbered, including the hall's 22ft by 7ft panelled oak ceiling.

The only thing left behind was the building's two ghosts. Reports suggest that one was a Roman soldier who used to gallop once a month across the paddock in front of the house and the other was a shadowy figure that used to haunt the minstrel gallery.

It is not known whether the ghosts have stayed in the spot where Dutton Hall once was or moved on.

Historian Colin Dutton said: "Perhaps these phantom figures are hiking the 300 miles between Runcorn and East Grinstead in search of their old home."

During the Second World War the enlarged house was used as a hospital for injured fighter pilots but more recently it was the home to pupils of Stoke Brunswick school.

Hollywood stars Clark Gable and Rita Hayworth (pictured) were once guests at Dutton Hall, Runcorn.

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