Then & Now: Churches Mansion, Nantwich in 1957.

CHURCHES Mansion has changed little since the photograph on the left was taken in 1957.

But then Nantwich's beautiful Elizabethan landmark has changed little in over 400 years.

Built in 1577, the Grade I-listed building survived the great fire of Nantwich in 1583 and narrowly escaped being dismantled piece by piece and reassembled in the USA.

Richard Churche, the original owner, was a wealthy merchant from Leicestershire who bought estates in Cheshire and Shropshire as the family prospered.

Since the 16th century, Churches Mansion has variously been a private residence, a restaurant and tea rooms and more recently the home of Adams Antiques, specialists in period oak and country furniture.

Yet it remains one of the finest timber-framed buildings in the country, and one of the best-preserved historic properties in Cheshire. It is currently on the market for £1,250,000.

Do you have memories of dining or taking tea at Churches Mansions? Write to Colette Warbrook, Features Desk, The Sentinel, Forge Lane, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 5SS, remembering to include your full address and a daytime telephone number. Or email colette.warbrook@thesentinel.co.uk