"The Old Croft," Legh Road, Knutsford

John Brooke was involved in the development of lands sold off by the Leghs of Booths following the arrival of the railway. At the time Watt was one of John Brooke’s neighbours in Bowdon and Brooke may well have suggested the idea.

So, in 1895 at the age of 55 Watt moved to Knutsford and built his own house. He took a keen interest in the construction, visiting the site every day, carefully studying the different stages of the job. The design in an Arts and Crafts style did not really reflect his views but was dictated chiefly by Brooke. But the construction of this essentially ordinary house was to prove the catalyst which ignited Watt’s mania for building. Watt was sufficiently enthusiastic to want to try again and two years later began his series of houses on Legh Road However, John Brooke was too well-established an architect to act as a a mere draftsman. Instead, it was the young Harry S Fairhurst that Watt employed to “ghost” the eccentric Italian style that was to become the hallmark of his work in Knutsford.

HOUSE, KNUTSFORD - This house is built on the outskirts of Knutsford, one of the most ancient and picturesque country towns in Cheshire. The materials used are red bricks for the lower story and rough cast, composed of Portland cement and Derbyshire spar for the facing of the chamber floor and gables. The roofs are covered with red tiles. The builders were Messrs. Pearson & Brown, of Manchester, and the architect Mr. John Brooke, of the same city. The drawing was exhibited last year at the Royal Academy. [Builder 25 January 1896 page 74-5]

Assumed Royal Academy Exhibit                1895 (1525)        House, Knutsford, Cheshire

Reference    Builder 25 January 1896 page 74-5 with illustration
Reference    Pevsner: Cheshire 
Reference    Michael Hyde    A Window on Knutsford