Charlecote Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlecote Park |
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A view of the front of the house in 2017
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| General information | |
| Type | Country house |
| Location | Charlecote, Warwickshire, England |
| Coordinates | 52°12′19″N 1°37′00″W / 52.20520°N 1.61657°W |
| Construction started | Mid 16th century |
| Owner | National Trust |
Charlecote Park is a grand country house from the 1500s. It is surrounded by a large deer park and sits on the banks of the River Avon in Warwickshire, England. The house is located near the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, where William Shakespeare lived.
Since 1946, Charlecote Park has been cared for by the National Trust, an organization that protects historic places. It is a Grade I listed building, which means it is a very important historic site. The park and gardens are also officially recognized for their historical value. Today, anyone can visit to explore the house and its beautiful grounds.
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History of the Park
The Lucy family has owned the land where Charlecote sits since 1247. The house we see today was first built in 1558 by a man named Sir Thomas Lucy.
Royal Visits and Rebuilding
The house was so grand that Queen Elizabeth I once stayed there. The room she stayed in is now the drawing room.
Over many years, different generations of the Lucy family made changes to the house. By the 1800s, much of the house had been rebuilt in the popular Victorian style. In 1823, George Hammond Lucy inherited Charlecote. He wanted to make the house look like it did in its original Tudor style, so he began a major project to restore its historic appearance.
The Shakespeare Legend
Charlecote Park is famous for a story about a young William Shakespeare. It is said that he used to sneak into the park to hunt for rabbits and deer. This was against the law and was called poaching. The legend says he was caught and had to face the local judges.
Life at Charlecote
From 1605 to 1640, the house was home to another Sir Thomas Lucy and his wife, Lady Lucy. They had twelve children. After her husband died, Lady Lucy managed the large house. She was known for being very kind and gave food and money to people in need every Christmas.
In the main hall, there is a large painting of Captain Thomas Lucy from 1680. In the background of the painting, you can see a young black groom. In those times, some wealthy families had servants or enslaved people from other countries. This painting is an important historical record of a black person's presence in this part of England.
Famous Visitors and Gardens
In the 1760s, the famous landscape designer Capability Brown was hired to redesign the gardens and parkland. His work made Charlecote Park a popular place for tourists to visit. Famous writers like Washington Irving, Sir Walter Scott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne all visited the estate.
In 1823, George Hammond Lucy married Mary Elizabeth Williams. She wrote detailed diaries about her life, which help us understand what it was like to live at Charlecote during the Victorian era.
In 1890, an artist and friend of the family named Edith Mary Hinchley created a unique family tree. She painted over 500 family crests onto a large piece of deerskin. This amazing artwork, called the "Lucy Deerskin," is still on display at the house.
Becoming a National Trust Property
Over time, the Lucy family began to sell parts of the estate. In 1946, Sir Montgomerie Fairfax-Lucy gave Charlecote Park to the National Trust. He did this to pay for the taxes that were owed after his mother died. Thanks to this gift, the house and park are preserved for everyone to enjoy.
What to See at Charlecote Park Today
A visit to Charlecote Park is like stepping back in time. You can explore both the house and the grounds.
Inside the House
The Great Hall is one of the most impressive rooms. It has a high, curved ceiling made of plaster that is painted to look like wood. The walls are covered with portraits of the Lucy family from across the centuries.
Other rooms have beautiful wallpapers, decorated ceilings, and wood-panelled walls. You can also see amazing furniture and art, including a painting of Queen Elizabeth I that was made during her lifetime. Don't miss the original gatehouse from the Elizabethan era, which has stood for over 400 years.
Two special items on display are:
- A letter written by Oliver Cromwell in 1654.
- A portrait of George Lucy painted by the famous artist Thomas Gainsborough in 1760.
The Park and Gardens
The grounds of Charlecote Park are huge. You can walk through gardens that have been recreated to look like they did in the 1700s.
The park is also home to special animals. Herds of fallow deer roam freely, just as they have for centuries. You can also see a flock of Jacob sheep. This rare breed was first brought to England in 1755 by George Lucy.
In April 2012, the popular TV show Antiques Roadshow was filmed at Charlecote Park.
