Alston Hall [SEP] architect
Alston Hall
Alston Hall is a 19th century Victorian gothic style country mansion located in Longridge (near Preston) in Lancashire, England. It is not to be confused with the 15th century Alston Old Hall nearby.
History.
Alston Hall, designed by the architect Alfred Darbyshire, was built c.1876 for John Mercer, a Newton-le-Willows colliery owner. It passed down to his grand-daughter, who was a nun, and was then sold to the Eccles cotton manufacturing family who sold it in turn
and lost at Norfolk. He was returned unopposed as MP for Dunwich at a by-election on 21 February 1738. At the 1741 British general election he went back to Bere Alston where he was returned unopposed. 
In 1742, Morden inherited the Norfolk properties of his mother's brother Harbord Harbord, and assumed the surname Harbord in place of that of Morden by royal licence to meet the will's conditions. In the 1740s he began the construction of Gunton Hall designed by the architect Matthew Brettingham. He was made a