Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens
Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens is a 3,363 acre (1361ha) agricultural estate at the heart of which stands the eighteenth-century Kelmarsh Hall, surrounded by its beautiful gardens and parkland.
Today the estate, hall and stunning gardens, including the walled garden, are owned and managed by The Kelmarsh Trust.
The Trust's aim is to preserve the Hall for the benefit of the nation together with its contents and surroundings, making them available for study and appreciation by the general public.
History of Kelmarsh Hall
The building of the present hall was completed around 1732 and was commissioned by William Hanbury (1704-1768) to replace the Old Hall. There are some additions to the Georgian house in the form of a Victorian ballroom at the Northwest corner and
extended domestic areas.The interiors of Kelmarsh Hall have been greatly influenced by a variety of important designers throughout their history. Between 1735 and 1737 Francis Smith of Warwick (1672-1738) was paid £376 possibly for fitting out the interior to the designs of James Gibbs.
Kelmarsh Hall Gardens
Four garden designers are primarily responsible for the formal gardens (including a separate rose garden) you see today: Colonel C.G. Lancaster, Nancy & Ronald Tree and Miss Valencia Lancaster, who endowed the charitable trust which now owns the house, garden and estate.
Nancy Tree is perhaps the best known of the four, developing her 'English Country House Style' at Kelmarsh, which was later to become fashionable when she bought the firm of Colefax and Fowler.
She extended this style from the decoration and furnishing of the house into the garden.
The grass terrace below the garden front of the Hall, with its rows of pleached limes on either side, together with the tapis vert, a wildflower meadow beyond, flanked by avenues of pink chestnuts leading down to the lakes, was designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe in 1936.
General Information:
- Ample car parking, with accessible parking near the Hall
- Dogs only in the garden, on a lead (assistance dogs allowed inside the Hall)
- Tea room (via visitor centre entrance) serving afternoon teas (pre-booked), lunches, hot drinks and sweet treats
- No flash photography or stabilisation devices (tripod etc) in the Hall
- Gift shop located in the visitor centre
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(2022 times)
April - September 2022: Last entry to hall and gardens 3pm. The Hall and Gardens are also open on Bank Holiday Mondays. |
Admission Charges |
(2022 prices)
Gardens only: Hall and Gardens: Adult £10.00; Concession £9.00; Child (5-14 years) £5.50. |
Directions |
Situated on the A508 between Market Harborough and Northampton. Kelmarsh Hall is located less than a mile from Junction 2 of the A14 and only 15 miles from the M1 Junction 19. |
Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens Postcode for SatNav: NN6 9LT
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