Creech Grange facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Creech Grange |
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Creech Grange
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| General information | |
| Type | Country house, manor house |
| Location | Steeple, Dorset, UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 50°38′25″N 2°07′38″W / 50.6403°N 2.12722°W |
| Construction started | 1540 |
| Completed | 1559 |
| Client | Sir Oliver Lawrence |
Creech Grange is a beautiful old country house located in Steeple, a village in Dorset, England. It sits at the bottom of the Purbeck Hills. This historic building is very important. Historic England has given it a special Grade I listing. This means it's considered a building of exceptional interest. Its park and gardens are also highly valued, listed as Grade II* on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
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A Look Back in Time
Creech Grange was built by a man named Sir Oliver Lawrence. He lived from 1507 to 1559. Sir Oliver got the land in 1539. This happened after King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries, including Bindon Abbey, which used to own the land. Sir Oliver Lawrence was connected to powerful people. His brother-in-law was Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, who was the King's Lord Chancellor.
A Famous Family Connection
Did you know that Sir Oliver Lawrence was an ancestor of George Washington? George Washington was the very first president of America! The family symbols of both the Lawrence family and the Washington family can be seen together. These symbols, including the famous stars and stripes, are on memorials in nearby Steeple and Affpuddle.
Changes Over the Years
The original house built by Sir Oliver Lawrence in the 1500s doesn't fully exist today. Parts of it were damaged by fire. This fire happened during the English Civil War, caused by the Parliamentarians. Later, in 1846, the entire front of the house was taken down. It was then rebuilt in a style that looked like the old Tudor buildings.
The Mysterious Arch
In 1746, another owner, Denis Bond, built a special structure. It's called a folly, which is a building made for decoration, not for living in. This folly is known as Grange Arch. It stands on Ridgeway Hill, one of the highest points on the Purbeck Ridge. The National Trust now looks after this interesting arch.
What Can You See?
If you visit the area around Creech Grange, you'll find amazing views! From nearby Creech Barrow Hill, you can see far and wide. Even though it's part of the Purbeck Hills, Creech Barrow stands out on its own. You can spot the church tower of Lady St Mary in the old town of Wareham.
As you look towards the northeast, Poole Harbour dominates the view. The southern edge of the harbour is covered by the dark green of Rempstone Forest. Further away, you might see the towns of Poole and Bournemouth. Finally, the ruins of Corfe Castle complete the eastern view, blending into the Purbeck Ridge.
A Special Place for Nature
Part of the Creech Grange estate is a very important natural area. It's a small biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because of its special plants or animals. This particular area was recognized in 1977. The old buildings on the estate are a crucial place for bats. They are an important roosting site for Greater Horseshoe Bats, which are a protected species.
Gallery
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Creech Grange near Wareham, Dorset
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Creech: chapel of St. John
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Grange Arch on the Purbeck ridgeway
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Creech Grange from the Arch
