Melford Hall facts for kids
Melford Hall is a beautiful old house located in the village of Long Melford, Suffolk, England. It's known as a stately home, which means it's a large, impressive house that was once owned by an important family. Since 1786, it has been the home of the Parker Baronets and is still lived in by the Hyde Parker family today. Since 1960, this historic hall has been cared for by the National Trust, an organization that protects important places in England.
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History of Melford Hall
Melford Hall was mostly built in the 1500s. It includes parts of an even older building that belonged to the abbots of Bury St Edmunds, who were important religious leaders. This older part of the hall was in use even before the year 1065! Melford Hall has a similar history to another nearby grand house called Kentwell Hall.
From Monks to New Owners
The hall changed hands during a time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was when King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries in England. Later, in the 1550s, Queen Mary I gave the hall to Sir William Cordell. After Sir William, the hall passed through his sister's family to Thomas and Mary Savage. It was then sold back to another part of the Cordell family.
Life at the Hall in the 1600s
In 1619, a writer named James Howell wrote a letter describing Melford Hall and its gardens. He wrote about it when Elizabeth Savage, Countess Rivers lived there. This gives us a peek into what life was like at the hall many years ago.
Challenges and Changes
Melford Hall faced some tough times during the Stour Valley Riots in 1642. During these riots, a crowd that was against Catholics attacked and damaged the house. In 1786, the hall was sold to Sir Harry Parker, 6th Baronet. He was the son of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, 5th Baronet. This is how the Parker family came to own Melford Hall.
A Famous Visitor
Did you know that Beatrix Potter, the famous author and illustrator who created Peter Rabbit, was a cousin of the family who lived at Melford Hall? She visited the hall often, starting in the 1890s. It's fun to imagine her walking through the same rooms and gardens that you can visit today!
Rebuilding After Fire
In February 1942, during World War II, one part of the hall was badly damaged by a fire. However, it was rebuilt after the war ended. The outside walls, made of Tudor brickwork, were kept, but the inside was designed in a 1950s style. This mix of old and new makes the hall even more interesting.
Melford Hall Today
Melford Hall first opened its doors to the public in 1955. Ulla, Lady Hyde Parker, was the one who made this possible. In 1958, a kind woman named Sue Ryder rented the south wing of the hall. She used it to host a special holiday program for people who had survived concentration camps in Poland. This program ran at Melford Hall for 11 years and eventually grew into her famous charity, Sue Ryder.
Owned by the National Trust
In 1960, Melford Hall became part of the National Trust. This means it is now protected and preserved for everyone to enjoy. The hall is usually open to visitors on weekend afternoons in April and October. From May to September, you can visit on afternoons from Wednesday to Sunday.
Events at the Hall
The grounds of Melford Hall are also used for many fun events. Every November, there's a "Big Night Out" to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night with fireworks. Since 2013, the hall has also hosted the annual LeeStock Music Festival, which is a popular event for music lovers.
