It is reputedly built on the site of Frodsham Castle, and originates from the late 18th century.

In the late 18th century the first house on the site, Park Place, was built by Robert Wainwright Ashley, a lawyer in the town.

It was then inherited by his brother Reverend Thomas Ashley, but mortgaged to Philip Humberston of Chester.

He started to develop and extend the house and outbuildings and commissioned Edward Kemp to lay out the woods and gardens, which comprised an area of more than 24 acres (97,000 m2).

It was bought by auction for over £9,500 (equivalent to £1,120,000 in 2023)[3] by Edward Abbott Wright, a Quaker cotton manufacturer from Oldham.

[1] The grandchildren of Edward, who were the beneficiaries of the will, presented the house and 12 acres (49,000 m2) of ornamental grounds to the Runcorn Rural District Council (of which Frodsham was at that time a part) for the "use, enjoyment and benefit" of the inhabitants.

The grounds were used as a public park and the house as the offices of the Rural District Council.

The other outbuildings included a vinery, with a heated wall, and a smoke house for curing bacon and ham.