I also have found the bamford family grave stone thanks to topofthepops. Took some pics but not sure if i should put them on here. Is there any laws against taking pics of peoples headstones and putting them on forums??
ghostly1, I found an old journal as I was sorting out some books and found some info on Raby Hall. You might already have this but it is interesting reading etc. The journal is "Wirral Journal Vol. 2 No 6 Summer 1985"
I am including an image of the scanned page but I also have a pdf file which is the text taken using OCR from the image - but I can't seem to upload this to wikiwirral, will check this out.
======================================= Raby Hall –
Yesterday and today Rena Griffiths
Travellers taking that delightful rural lane between Bromborough and Raby village have often wondered about Raby Hall, its history and its residents. Until recently, only a plain wooden plaque set in the sandstone wall depicted the mansion's name: now, passing travellers are informed that this is Raby Hall Autistic Community.
Raby Hall was built in 1846 for Edwin Bamford, a well-known Liverpool merchant of the time. It was designed by Harvey Elmes, a leading Victorian architect who also designed St George's Hall in Liverpool. Raby Hall was eventually bought by Lord Leverhulme and became part of his estate: it was bought by the Wirral Autistic Society in 1975. The Society had as its main aim for many years the establishment of a residential community for autistic adolescents and adults: the size, layout and location of Raby Hall helped to make the place ideal for conversion to meet the requirements of a residential community. In November 1979, after extensive conversion work, the Hall was officially opened by HRH Princess Anne.
What goes on at Raby Hall? Inside, the young people work at pottery, jewelcraft, candle-making, screen printing, and knitting. Outside, the large vegetable gardens and greenhouses mean that, as well as receiving horticultural training, the residents are able to grow vegetables for their own use. But life is not all centred about the Hall: visits are made to West Kirby for swimming, to the local sports centre for badminton, and to the local Riding School.
A fascinating link between the past history of the Hall and its present use has been established through the discovery, during redecoration, of the Bamford Coat of Arms painted on the walls of the hall and staircase. The Bamford Arms have three linked rings, from which is a raised arm holding a flag emblazoned spear, the motto, Perseverantia Vincit, means Perseverance Conquers. This was considered to be a good omen for the project and, as the Arms were no longer in use, the Society gained permission to use them.
Inside the Hall, despite extensive conversion, much remains as a reminder of bygone days. A particularly beautiful window on the main staircase depicts, in stained glass, the Six Virtues, designed in the style of Burne Jones. The large craft room off the front hall, and the oak panelled sitting room, have ceilings in the Adam style. The ceiling in the craft room has been restored to its original glory, in authentic pastel colours, by a lecturer from Liverpool College of Art. In every way, Raby Hall retains its requirement of being a 'domestic dwelling' - of Raby Hall - a home with a small 'h'.
This is an extract taken from: Wirral Journal Vol. 2 No 6 Summer 1985
Ghostly...were you invited inside the hall to take those pics?
Did you see the wonderful pannelling in some rooms?
I have been inside Raby Hall several times. The society has done a magnificent job in keeping the tradtional look of the hall..and renovating the orginal works with sympathy to its style.
That is amazing the extra information thanks to topofthepops for the article and bri for the cracking image. I always wondered what it looked like originally. The Bamfords are the main part of my research but the building is interesting me even more. All very fascinating stuff. Will update you soon!!
I was googling Raby Hall and came across this site and joined. My family spent years researching Raby Hall to the point that we where contacting people who had done thesis's on the place from Liverpool University.
We obtained quite a lot of documents to do with wills, rights of sale, etc, etc, which was fascinating. To the point that we had gone as far as we could go.
Most of the facts about the Hall are correct apart from it being built for the Bamfords, which it wasn't, it was built for William Irlam and his wife around 1845ish (no definate date).
Ghostly, somewhere in the depths of Raby Hall/Grisedale Road, there will be a file containing the information we collated, I know it was used as part of a display/exhibition a few years ago.
I still have some of the information, and possibly the original file somewhere in the depths of the house. Off the top of my head the order of the families that lived there are:
William Irlam & Frances Irlam - William Irlam died of gout and comsumption
Frances Irlam (widow) married Thomas Hastings Irwin and moved to Southport
Edwin Bamford & Family
Fearney family (shipbuilders/brokers)
Mounsey (family)
Wirral Autistic Society.
The stained glass window to the mid landing was not part of the original house and was we believe added by the Bamfords, when the stair width was increased to add the stained glass.
Although it was never confirmed (i.e there was never any paperwork) Raby Hall was originally to be built in Rock Park, cant remember how we came to that conclusion, if I remember I will let you know.
but certainly don't want any one thinking I was trespassing. 
