Halston’s recorded history goes back to before the Norman Conquest. Known as ‘Holy Stone’ in medieval times, it was then one of many great estates held by the powerful Knights of St John, a brotherhood founded to protect pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land.
The influential Mytton family, whose lands included 32,000 acres in North Wales, moved to Halston in 1549, and lived here until after John Mytton died, nearly 300 years later.
Today’s house of mellow brick embellished with equally attractive stonework was built in 1690, then ‘modernised’ by Robert Mylne in the 1760s. His talents created one of Shropshire’s most noteworthy 18th century interiors, according to no less an expert than Sir Nikolaus Pevsner. His authoritative ‘Buildings of England’ devotes one and a half pages to Halston.
The southern façade of the house overlooks lawns, two lakes and Halston’s private chapel, one of only two timber-framed churches in Shropshire. Experts believe that the chapel was built in the second half of the 15th century.
The chapel is also remarkable for the survival and quality of its early C17 and C18 fittings, the latter paid for by Richard Mytton (died 1731). It was built for a preceptory of the Knights Hospitallers that was at Halston from the late 12th century. The chapel stands within a raised churchyard and there are extensive earthworks (almost certainly connected with the preceptory), including what appears to be a dried-up moated platform to the south, in the surrounding fields.
Whether as a private or corporate party venue, for conferences, product launches or as a film location, you can be sure of a warm welcome at history-steeped Halston, one of Shropshire’s most attractive country houses.
The rooms, spacious and well-furnished, are bright with fragrant flowers fresh from the garden. You can recapture the peaceful atmosphere of days gone by, when horse-drawn carriages clattered up the drive, and learn about John ‘Mad Jack’ Mytton, Squire of Halston, one of Regency England’s most rip-roaring eccentrics.
Situated in fabulous secluded parkland set well back from the Oswestry-Ellesmere road and overlooking two lakes the Grade 1 listed William and Mary house is the focal point of a 600-acre estate with a home farm. Halston also boasts one of only two timber-framed churches in Shropshire. Experts believe it was built towards the end of the 15th century. Tempting views of distant hills are a reminder that Halston makes an ideal base for exploring North Wales – the border is a ten-minute drive away – and Shropshire’s lovely ‘Lake Distict’ around Ellesmere. The Llangollen canal, often cited as one of Britain’s most beautiful inland waterways, is within walking distance of the house.
