Tonge Hall

Tonge Hall is a Tudor manor house featuring distinctive black and white timber framing set upon a stone base. The two-story structure displays original square quatrefoil panels as decorative and structural elements throughout its design.

The property was built around 1584 and remained connected to the Tonge family for centuries until Asheton Tonge acquired it in 1890. The family's ownership helped ensure the building's continuity through changing times.

The timber framing and stone construction reveal building techniques that shaped local architecture during the Tudor period. Visitors can still see how craftspeople of that era worked with available materials and design methods.

The building is currently under protective scaffolding and temporary covering as Rochdale Council develops restoration plans. Visitors should check access conditions beforehand, as the site may have restricted viewing areas due to ongoing preservation work.

Following severe fire damage in 2007, Rochdale Council acquired the property for a nominal amount to secure its preservation. This unusual gesture demonstrates how communities sometimes take unconventional steps to save architectural treasures for future generations.