Boscobel House facts for kids
Boscobel House is a super old building in Shropshire, England. It's famous because of a thrilling story from 1651. After losing a big battle, King Charles II hid here to escape his enemies! Over the years, Boscobel House has been a farm, a hunting lodge, and a holiday home. Today, English Heritage looks after it, so people can visit and learn about its amazing past.
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Where is Boscobel House?
Boscobel House is located in the county of Shropshire, England. Even though it has a Stafford postcode, it's definitely in Shropshire. Long ago, this land belonged to a place called White Ladies Priory. The house is just south of a small village called Bishops Wood. Today, the local government for Boscobel is part of Shropshire Council. The nearest big city is Wolverhampton. You can find the house just north of the M54 motorway.
A Look Back in Time
How Boscobel House Started
Boscobel House began around 1632. A man named John Giffard owned the land, which used to be part of White Ladies Priory. He took an old farmhouse from the 1500s and turned it into a hunting lodge.
The land had been leased by William Skeffington a century earlier. It then passed to the Giffard family. John Giffard wanted to make the farmhouse better for his family and guests. He added a large new part with living rooms and bedrooms.
John Giffard named his new hunting lodge Boscobel House. The name "Boscobel" is thought to come from Italian words meaning "in the midst of fair woods." This makes sense because in 1632, the house was surrounded by thick forests!
King Charles II's Great Escape
The Giffard family who owned Boscobel House were Catholics. At that time, Catholics faced difficulties in England if they didn't follow the official Church of England. They often had secret hiding places, called "priest holes," in their homes to protect Catholic priests. This secret feature of the house became very important for King Charles II.
In 1651, King Charles II was trying to escape after losing the Battle of Worcester. He was in great danger from his enemies, the Parliament soldiers. He first went to White Ladies Priory. There, the Penderel family, who worked for the Giffards, helped him.
Charles II was led to Boscobel House. He met Colonel William Careless there. Together, the King and Careless spent a whole day hiding in a large oak tree nearby. This tree became famous as The Royal Oak. From the tree, they could see the soldiers searching for the King! Later, Charles II spent a night hiding in one of Boscobel's secret priest holes. He eventually escaped the area by pretending to be a servant.
What Happened Next
After these exciting events, Boscobel House was passed down through families. It became a farm, and many members of the Penderel family, who had helped the King, lived there as tenants.
In 1812, the house was sold to the Evans family. They worked to restore the house and gardens. They also helped keep the story of Charles II alive. In 1954, the house and the famous tree were given to the government. Since 1984, English Heritage has managed Boscobel House.
Boscobel House Today
Inside the House
When you visit Boscobel House today, you can see how it was built in different stages. The oldest part is a 16th-century farmhouse. A newer farm building from the 1800s is attached to it. The main house, built by John Giffard around 1632, is also visible.
- The different parts of Boscobel House
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The front of the 16th-century farm, with the 19th-century building behind it.
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You can see the old "wattle and daub" walls from the 16th century.
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Look closely at the old wooden beams inside the 16th-century farm building.
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More 16th-century wooden framing in the entrance hall.
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This is the hunting lodge part, built by John Giffard.
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The hunting lodge from the west side.
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This part used to be a stairwell but was changed into rooms later.
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The 19th-century farm building, painted to look like older timber houses.
The 19th-century farm building now has displays about Charles II's escape. The 16th-century farm, called the "north range," shows old dairy equipment. You can see how butter and cheese were made long ago. The upper floor of this part is now open to visitors, showing its original construction.
The main house has a room called the Parlour. It has old wooden panels from the 1600s. There's also a room called the Oratory, which might have been where the stairs were in the 17th century. It has a portrait of Jane Penderel, who was very important in helping Charles II.
Upstairs, there's a bedroom called the Squire's Room. It has a secret door to a small hiding spot, possibly a priest hole. Another bedroom is called the White Room. The top floor is a large attic. Here, you can find a more convincing priest hole. This is where King Charles II is believed to have spent a very uncomfortable night, as he was quite tall!
- Inside the house: a look at the rooms
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The Entrance Hall, part of the 16th-century farm.
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A dresser in the parlour.
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A view into the Oratory from the parlour.
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A carved chest that remembers the 17th-century events.
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The Squire's Room, decorated in 17th-century style.
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The upper floor of the hunting lodge, now with bedrooms.
The Gardens and Grounds
North of the house is a large farmyard. It has old farm buildings and a big 17th-century barn. This area is great for picnics. You can also see displays of old farm machines.
To the south, you'll find formal gardens. There's a beautiful garden with low hedges, like a maze. In one corner, there's a small mound called the Mount. King Charles II is said to have spent a day reading here. Beyond the formal gardens, there's a kitchen garden with fruit trees and a path lined with hazelnut trees.
The Royal Oak
The famous Royal Oak tree is about 150 yards (137 meters) southwest of the house. It's believed to be a direct descendant of the original tree where King Charles II and William Careless hid. The tree is protected by fences.
Three younger oak trees, grown from acorns of the Royal Oak's descendants, have been planted nearby:
- In 1897, a tree was planted to celebrate Queen Victoria's 60 years as queen.
- In 1951, another tree was planted to mark 300 years since Charles II's escape.
- In 2001, Prince Charles (now King Charles III) planted another oak sapling.
=Images for kids
- Grounds and displays
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Display of butter-making equipment in the old farm building.
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Tools for making cheese in the dairy display.
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An old water pump outside the 19th-century farm building.
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Farm machines on display in the yard, like a plough and rakes.
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The nut garden, a path lined with hazelnut trees.
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The Mount, with the Royal Oak and the 1951 oak tree in the background.
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The Royal Oak as it looked in 2011.
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This oak tree was planted in 1951 to remember Charles II's escape.
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A plaque on the 1951 oak tree.
Visiting Boscobel House
Boscobel House is usually open from Wednesday to Sunday during the summer months (April to October). There is a fee to enter, but members of English Heritage can visit for free. Schools can also arrange free educational visits.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Shropshire Council (A–G)
- Listed buildings in Boscobel
