Wolverhampton's Architectural Heritage

Bantock House

Bantock House is situated in Bantock Park, Merridale Road, Wolverhampton (N3/BAN)

The House was originally known as New Merridale Farm and was built between 1734 and 1738. It is not known who built it but the first owners were the Petit family from nearby Old Merridale Farm. The family did not live at new Merridale Farm but leased out the property, the first recorded occupant being John Pursehouse in 1788.

By 1811 the property was occupied by Thomas Bainbridge Herrick and during his time the building was altered and became known as Merridale House. Herrick died in 1824 but the family continued to live there until 1832 when the Rev Thomas Walker JR, a prebendary of St Peter's Church, Featherstone took it over. He stayed until 1840 when he became Rector of Abbots Moreton.

It was around this time that the Petits sold Merridale House to James Bradshaw, a local businessman. In 1851 James Bradshaw became an Alderman for St Peter's Ward in Wolverhampton.

By 1867 the house had been sold to Thomas Bantock, a business associate of Bradshaw's.

Thomas Bantock, Mayor of Wolverhampton 1869-1870 (Y1/BAN,T/2)

Thomas Bantock had been sent to Wolverhampton in 1849 by the Duke of Bridgwater's Trustees. In 1858 he had started the carrying company of Thomas Bantock & Co with offices at Wolverhampton Low Level Station. Three years later he was elected a councillor for St Mary's Ward and in 1869 became Mayor. He spent thirty-three years as a member of the Council before retiring in 1893.

When Thomas Bantock died in 1896 he left behind three sons and seven daughters. The eldest son, Albert Baldwin Bantock, became the new owner of Merridale House.

Albert Baldwin Bantock and his wife, Mayor and Mayoress of Wolverhampton
1905 - 1907 & 1914 - 1915 (Y1/BAN)

Like his father, Albert Bantock served on the Council. He was first elected in 1900 representing St James Ward. He served twice as Mayor from 1905 - 1907 and 1914 - 1915, became High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1920 and was granted the Freedom of the Borough in 1926. He retired in 1934.

Albert Baldwin Bantock died in 1938 leaving no children. In his will he left the house and land to his wife with the understanding that on her death the property should be given to the Borough of Wolverhampton. However although Mrs Bantock survived her husband by sixteen years, she donated the house and its surrounding acres to Wolverhampton Corporation in 1938 and 1941.

Bantock Park c. 1960 (M1/BAN/3)

In 1948 Mrs Jessie Sankey, one of Albert Bantock's sisters, officially opened Bantock Museum.

Interior of Bantock House Museum (N3/BAN)