1. The History
For such a lovely hall, there’s an incredibly scarcity of information on the place. Withcote Hall is an early 18th century country house located in the Leicestershire hamlet of Withcote. Constructed of golden-coloured ironstone and a Swithland slate roof, the house was reputedly built by Matthew Johnson (d.1723) who bought the estate from the poet and favourite of Charles II, Lord Rochester. It incorporates an earlier building and is next to the Tudor Withcote Chapel.
A painting from 1838 by John Fernley depicts the Reverend and Mrs. Henry Palmer with their six younger children, who were then residences at the hall. On his death in October 1856, the hall passed to his son, Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Palmer.
Said painting of the Reverend Palmer and family:
Appointed High Sheriff in 1865, he was lord of the manor until his death in 1907 at the age of 81. In more recent times, it was owned by Brigadier Thomas Francis Cavenagh, before passing to his son John Michael Cavenagh. John Michael was awarded the Military Cross, and later an OBE. After marrying in 1962, he lived at the hall with his wife, Susan Thomson and their three children, Sarah, Thomas and Bettina. They ran a stud business at the hall, breeding quality horses from British bloodlines for eventing, showing, and general pleasure riding. On his death in November 2003, the business was carried on by his wife Susan who continued to live at the hall until circa 2016.
Currently on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register, as far back at 2002, a detailed condition survey described the house as in “very bad condition”, with the hall suffering from “extensive rot, structural movement and defective plasterwork, all resulting from water ingress”.
2. The Explore
Sat on this one for a while. Explored over two visits in December 2018, just before Xmas and just after. Didn’t post it at all due to it being a rather special place and one that the Goons didn’t seem to have spotted. So, decided to keep it off the radar on my part. Now the place is scaffolded and has a compound round it so thought I’d report on it.
Really fell in love with this place. Sadly, both times I went there the weather was really poor so had been wanting to but never got around to going a third time in bluer skies. On both occasions it was a total walk-in. The only secca was the same yappy dog. Fortunately, it quietened down when I was out of sight. So where to start with this place? It’s got it all. Lovely staircase, fantastic cupola and great plasterwork. In places the floors are soggy such is the water ingress. The roof is really shot in patches. The house stands really well and from a distance it looks really OK. However, when you get closer you can see just what a mess the roof is in. Hopefully now with work going on on the place, the hall will be saved.
3. The Pictures
Man, this place stands well:
The front of the hall:
You can see just how poorly the roof is from this shot:
And into the first room:
Some intricately decorated draws:
Definitely a horsey family:
Can’t make my mind up about this fire surround:
On to the period kitchen:
Obligatory can of Heinz baked beans:
Know your sheep!
The wood panelling in this room is suffering a bit:
The plastering in this ground floor room is exquisite.
But it’s in a poor state:
Ascending to the second floor it’s all about this staircase and bannister:
And this lovely cupola, famously difficult to photograph:
An old Joanna at the top of the stairs:
Along with this oriental looking chest:
For such a lovely hall, there’s an incredibly scarcity of information on the place. Withcote Hall is an early 18th century country house located in the Leicestershire hamlet of Withcote. Constructed of golden-coloured ironstone and a Swithland slate roof, the house was reputedly built by Matthew Johnson (d.1723) who bought the estate from the poet and favourite of Charles II, Lord Rochester. It incorporates an earlier building and is next to the Tudor Withcote Chapel.
A painting from 1838 by John Fernley depicts the Reverend and Mrs. Henry Palmer with their six younger children, who were then residences at the hall. On his death in October 1856, the hall passed to his son, Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Palmer.
Said painting of the Reverend Palmer and family:
Appointed High Sheriff in 1865, he was lord of the manor until his death in 1907 at the age of 81. In more recent times, it was owned by Brigadier Thomas Francis Cavenagh, before passing to his son John Michael Cavenagh. John Michael was awarded the Military Cross, and later an OBE. After marrying in 1962, he lived at the hall with his wife, Susan Thomson and their three children, Sarah, Thomas and Bettina. They ran a stud business at the hall, breeding quality horses from British bloodlines for eventing, showing, and general pleasure riding. On his death in November 2003, the business was carried on by his wife Susan who continued to live at the hall until circa 2016.
Currently on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register, as far back at 2002, a detailed condition survey described the house as in “very bad condition”, with the hall suffering from “extensive rot, structural movement and defective plasterwork, all resulting from water ingress”.
2. The Explore
Sat on this one for a while. Explored over two visits in December 2018, just before Xmas and just after. Didn’t post it at all due to it being a rather special place and one that the Goons didn’t seem to have spotted. So, decided to keep it off the radar on my part. Now the place is scaffolded and has a compound round it so thought I’d report on it.
Really fell in love with this place. Sadly, both times I went there the weather was really poor so had been wanting to but never got around to going a third time in bluer skies. On both occasions it was a total walk-in. The only secca was the same yappy dog. Fortunately, it quietened down when I was out of sight. So where to start with this place? It’s got it all. Lovely staircase, fantastic cupola and great plasterwork. In places the floors are soggy such is the water ingress. The roof is really shot in patches. The house stands really well and from a distance it looks really OK. However, when you get closer you can see just what a mess the roof is in. Hopefully now with work going on on the place, the hall will be saved.
3. The Pictures
Man, this place stands well:
The front of the hall:
You can see just how poorly the roof is from this shot:
And into the first room:
Some intricately decorated draws:
Definitely a horsey family:
Can’t make my mind up about this fire surround:
On to the period kitchen:
Obligatory can of Heinz baked beans:
Know your sheep!
The wood panelling in this room is suffering a bit:
The plastering in this ground floor room is exquisite.
But it’s in a poor state:
Ascending to the second floor it’s all about this staircase and bannister:
And this lovely cupola, famously difficult to photograph:
An old Joanna at the top of the stairs:
Along with this oriental looking chest:
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