Kelmarsh Hall facts for kids

Kelmarsh Hall is a beautiful old house in Northamptonshire, England. It's about 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of Market Harborough and 18 kilometers (11 miles) north of Northampton. This amazing 18th-century house is a very important historical building, known as a Grade I listed house. You can even visit it!

The Story of Kelmarsh Hall

Building a Grand Home

Kelmarsh Hall was built in 1732. It was designed in a style called Palladian by James Gibbs, which means it looks grand and balanced, like old Roman buildings. The builder was Francis Smith of Warwick, and it was made for William Hanbury, a famous collector of old things. Even today, the hall is surrounded by its original estate, with lovely parkland and gardens. A famous expert named Nikolaus Pevsner once said it was a "perfect" and "impeccable" design.

Early Owners and Their Fortunes

William Hanbury used a lot of money to build Kelmarsh Hall. He got this money partly from marrying a rich relative of Viscount Bateman. His family grew, and one of his grandchildren, William Hanbury III, even became a Baronet, which is a special title.

New Families at the Hall

Over the years, Kelmarsh Hall had several new owners. In 1864, a banker and cotton trader from Liverpool named Richard Christopher Naylor bought the estate. He was very keen on horse racing and hunting. Later, in 1902, George Granville Lancaster purchased the hall. His son, Claude, took over in 1924.

A Special Trust for the Future

In 1977, Claude's elder sister, Cicely, inherited Kelmarsh Hall. She loved the estate very much. To make sure the hall would be looked after forever, she created the Kelmarsh Trust before she passed away in 1996. This trust helps protect the hall and its history for everyone to enjoy.

Famous Residents and Interior Design

In 1929, Ronald Tree and his wife, Nancy, rented Kelmarsh Hall for six years. Ronald Tree later became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Harborough in 1933, which means he was elected to help make laws for the country. Nancy Lancaster became very well-known for her amazing talent in interior design. She had a great eye for making rooms look beautiful and stylish. She later married Colonel Lancaster, who owned the estate.

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  Kelmarsh Hall