The area around Chapel-en-le-Frith is noted for the high proportion of great houses. These are sited on the remnants of the estates carved out by the foresters and other workers within the Royal Forest. A charter of 1222 lists the men whose family names are still evident in some of the halls, mansions and houses in this cache series.
The estate that includes Marsh Hall was of considerable size at one time, including Cockyard, Down Lee and Bank Hall (GC3DFX9). The 13th century owners were the de la Ford’s who by the early 14th century had no more male heirs and the estate passed to the Brownes from Glossop who married the daughter and heiress of Clement de la Ford, Bailiff of the Forest in 1304.
The Browne family held Marsh Hall for 18 generations. Their role as Foresters in fee (crown officials of the Royal Hunting forest) can be traced as far back to 1318. They were reported in 1618 by another Chapel-en-le-Frith landowner as having been amongst “the greatest best or chiefest gentleman and freeholders” of the parish.
With the decline in family fortunes at the beginning of the nineteenth century the Brownes sold their estates to the Gisbornes.
What remains of the hall buildings? Whilst the Hall and Barn are now grade 2 listed buildings which incorporate some 17th and 18th century remnants, both have been modernised extensively. Do walk to the bottom of the lane and look at the dovecote… the origins of which I can find no mention on the internet.