Arbury Hall facts for kids
Arbury Hall is a beautiful old country house located in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England. It's a very important building, listed as a Grade I building, which means it's considered to be of exceptional interest. For many years, it has been the family home of the Newdigate family and their relatives.
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History of Arbury Hall
Arbury Hall stands where an old religious building, Arbury Priory, once was. The house itself is a mix of different styles. You can see parts built in the Tudor style, which was popular in the 1500s. There are also parts added in the 1700s, designed in the Gothic Revival style by an architect named Henry Keene. Sir Roger Newdigate was responsible for these later changes.
A famous writer, George Eliot, whose real name was Mary Anne Evans, was born on a farm belonging to the Arbury estate in 1819. Her father worked as the land agent for the estate. Later, in 1911, a monument was put up at Arbury Hall to remember George Eliot and her connection to the place.
Exploring Arbury Hall's Grounds
The hall is surrounded by a large park that covers about 300 acres. This makes it a great place to explore and enjoy nature.
Arbury Hall in Books and Movies
Arbury Hall has appeared in several creative works:
- The famous author George Eliot used Arbury Hall as inspiration for "Cheverel Manor" in her book Scenes of Clerical Life. It was the main setting for one of the stories called "Mr Gilfil's Love Story."
- The movie Angels & Insects, made in 1995, was filmed entirely at Arbury Hall and in its beautiful grounds.
- Arbury Hall was also used as the fictional Hoxley Manor in the BBC TV series Land Girls, which aired in 2009.
Who Has Owned Arbury Hall?
The ownership of Arbury Hall has changed hands many times over the centuries. It was first built by Edmund Anderson after he took down the old priory. Since then, it has mostly stayed within the Newdigate family and their relatives, passing down through generations.
The current owner, since the year 2000, is James Edward FitzRoy Newdegate, the 4th Viscount Daventry.
More to See Nearby
- Arbury Canals
- Arbury Park, South Australia, a place in Australia named after Arbury Hall
