History

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Northop Hall Country House Hotel - A Brief History

Dating back to 1872, Northop Hall Hotel is a Victorian mansion set in 9 acres of gardens and woodland. It was built on the site of the original 13th century manor house.

Why Is The Hotel's Restaurant Named The Chequers?

We understand this dates back to many years ago, the Welsh Rally use to be held in the area. The start and finish line was where the bottom of our driveway is now situated. The person who held the flag to signal the start and end of the race was known as 'The Chequer'. The race has since been moved further down South-Wales, but the name remains.

Local Industries - Coal

Coal has been mined in the area for centuries. In the 1790's the Irish and Dublin Coal Company began extensive mining. The entrepreneurs were Sir John McCartney of Dublin, John Anderson of Cork, Daniel Bell and James Connolly. Indentures were made with the people in the area e.g. John Williams, Thomas Morris and George Wright, enabling them

Dating back to 1872, we certainly have plenty of history at Northop Hall Country House Hotel & Chequers Restaurant

to mine for coal on their lands. Local labour was employed. They had an overseer, Maurice Searey, who lived in Irish Colliery house, which later became the farm - Cae Eithin. The mining was wide spread but did not go deep. The methods were primitive. Sometimes men were lowered by a basket and found their way about with the help of a lit candle. A horse with a winch may be used to raise the coal. A tram road was constructed to take the coal to the docks at Connahs Quay. The company became bankrupt and Rigby & Hancock, the Northop Hall Coal Company took over in the 1820's.