EIGHT CENTURIES IN THE MAKING

Nestled within 100 acres of Cheshire countryside, Delamere Manor is much more than a luxury country estate. It is the latest chapter in a story that has unfolded over centuries — on land whose history stretches back to the ancient Royal Forest of Delamere.

1174 | The Wilbrahams | Delamere Lodge | Delamere House | 1938 Delamere Manor | Today

AN ANCIENT ROYAL FOREST

Long before the Manor was built, nearby Cuddington was an important Saxon settlement, becoming Crown land after the Norman Conquest of 1066. For centuries this landscape was governed under the Royal Forest Laws — a setting rich in history and tradition.

THE WILBRAHAM FAMILY

The story of the estate truly begins with the Wilbraham family, whose Cheshire roots trace back to the 12th century. Through successful marriages, wise investments and extensive lands, they became one of Cheshire’s most influential families, with connections to some of Britain’s most prominent noble houses — including descendants of Tudor royalty.

In the late eighteenth century, George Wilbraham chose the highest ground overlooking Delamere Forest to build Delamere Lodge, which over the decades grew into the grand Delamere House, surrounded by parkland and an estate of thousands of acres.

A HOUSE BUILT FOR CELEBRATION

The Wilbrahams stood at the heart of Cheshire society — helping to establish the famous Tarporley Hunt Club and entertaining politicians, aristocracy and distinguished guests. Around thirty domestic servants, with gardeners, gamekeepers and estate workers, cared for the house and its lands. The estate became renowned for hunt balls, garden parties, charitable works and a remarkable art collection — including Titian’s celebrated Portrait of a Lady, which now hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

1938: A NEW CHAPTER

As the twentieth century brought changing fortunes to great estates, George Hugh de Vernon Wilbraham made a bold decision: to build a new family home. Delamere House, he wrote in his diary, had become “too large for present state requirements.” Completed in 1938, Delamere Manor was designed as an elegant Georgian-style residence that honoured the estate’s heritage while embracing modern living.

THE GARY BARLOW YEARS

In 1995, Delamere Manor passed into the hands of Gary Barlow, the iconic singer-songwriter and member of Take That. Under his ownership the Manor became a haven of creativity, where hit singles were penned and famous guests graced its halls. Today, the very recording studios that once echoed with melodies serve as a unique space for weddings and celebrations.

DELAMERE MANOR TODAY

Now, under the stewardship of businesswoman Michelle Stubbs, Delamere Manor has been carefully restored into one of Cheshire’s most exclusive destinations for weddings, celebrations and private events — its history preserved, its future secured.

Today, every guest who walks through these doors becomes part of a story more than eight centuries in the making. From ancient forest to family seat, from grand country house to the Manor you see today, Delamere continues its tradition of hospitality, celebration and memories that last a lifetime.