Brocket Hall facts for kids
Brocket Hall is a beautiful country house in Hertfordshire, England. It's built in a style called neo-classical, which means it looks like old Greek and Roman buildings. The house is surrounded by a huge park. This park has two golf courses and several other historic buildings. Brocket Hall is a very important historical building, listed as Grade I.
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History of Brocket Hall
The land where Brocket Hall stands has a long history. The first building here was built in 1239. It was known as Watership or Durantshide Manor. Later, around 1430, a second house was built. In 1477, a family named Brockett owned both manors.
The Brocket family officially bought the house in the early 1550s. John Brocket owned it first. After he passed away in 1558, his son, Sir John Brocket, took over. Sir John was a special guard for Queen Elizabeth I.
Building the Current Hall
The Brocket Hall we see today was mostly created by Sir Matthew Lamb, 1st Baronet. He bought the estate in 1746. Around 1760, he hired a famous architect, Sir James Paine, to design the grand house.
Sir Matthew Lamb's son was Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne. He often welcomed the Prince Regent (who later became King George IV) to Brocket Hall.
Home to Prime Ministers
Brocket Hall became home to important political figures. The next owner was William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne. He was Queen Victoria's first Prime Minister from 1835 to 1841. Queen Victoria herself often visited Brocket Hall during this time.
After William Lamb passed away, the house went to his sister, Emily Lamb, Lady Cowper. Her second husband was another Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston. So, Brocket Hall was home to two British Prime Ministers!
Later, the hall passed to Emily's grandson, Francis Cowper, 7th Earl Cowper. However, his younger brother, Henry, was the one who actually lived there.
Royal Connections and New Owners
In 1893, George Stephen, 1st Baron Mount Stephen, rented Brocket Hall. He was a very important Canadian banker. Over the next few years, many royal family members visited, including the Prince and Princess of Wales (who later became King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra).
Lord Mount Stephen's second wife, Georgina Mary (Gian) Tufnell, was a close friend of Mary of Teck, who later became the wife of King George V. Because of this friendship, King George V and Queen Mary often visited Brocket Hall.
After Lord Mount Stephen passed away in 1921, the estate was sold. In 1923, Sir Charles Nall-Cain bought it. He was a successful businessman. He was given the title Baron Brocket in 1933.
During World War II, his son, Ronald Nall-Cain, 2nd Baron Brocket, was involved in politics. During this time, Brocket Hall was used as a maternity hospital to help mothers and babies.
In 1996, Charles Nall-Cain, 3rd Baron Brocket, faced some legal issues. While he was away, the entire estate was leased for a long time to a company from Hong Kong called CCA. This company turned Brocket Hall into a hotel and conference center. They also added a second golf course and a restaurant called Auberge du Lac.
Location of Brocket Hall
Brocket Hall is located very close to the A1(M) motorway. It is near Welwyn Garden City, which is on the other side of the motorway. Historically, it is at the northern edge of Hatfield.
Park and Lake
In the 1770s, the park around Brocket Hall was beautifully designed. The River Lea flows through the park and was dammed to create a large lake, sometimes called a "broadwater."
The Palladian Bridge
Next to the dam is a stunning bridge. It's built in a Palladian style, which is a type of neo-classical design. The bridge is made of Portland stone and was also designed by Sir James Paine. It carries a driveway across the river.
The park itself is very important historically. It is listed as Grade II in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Since the 1990s, much of the park has been used for golf courses. It is also surrounded by thick woodlands.
Other Buildings in the Park
Sir James Paine also built a small building called the Temple in the park. It has a beautiful ceiling and a grand entrance. It's a great example of a garden temple from that time.
Another old building on the estate is Brocket Lea. This house was built in the early 1600s and is located on the south side of the River Lea.
See also
In Spanish: Brocket Hall para niños
