The county of Cheshire boasts colourful history, diverse architecture set and idyllic countryside. The distinctive Cheshire red sandstone has been used for many important buildings throughout the county such as churches and cathedrals, for example; Beeston Castle and Chester Cathedral. Many civic and industrial buildings were also constructed from the local Cheshire sandstone, such as the Grade 2* listed Knutsford Court House, which was built as Knutsford’s County House of Correction during the Georgian period 1815 - 1818. Many 15th century timbered buildings still survive in Cheshire, particularly in the southern part of the county. Examples include the manor house Little Moreton Hall. In 1545 the Brooke family bought the Norton priory and its estates which is situated east of the Cheshire town of Runcorn, and turned part of it into a Tudor house. This was replaced with a Georgian Mansion around 1750, which was in turn demolished in 1928. Following exavations of the site a museum opened in 1982 to explain the site's story as part of Cheshire’s rich heritage. From the 18th century and the start of the industrial revolution brick became the predominant building material used in Cheshire, although many buildings are often faced with stone. Many of Cheshire’s largest buildings from this period could be found in Macclesfield thanks to the town’s topography and location on the edge of the peak district. Many of the Macclesfield’s silk mills can still be seen today aside the towns waterways.