Nunwell House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nunwell House |
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| General information | |
| Type | English country house |
| Country | England |
Nunwell House, also known as Nunwell Manor, is a very old and important country house located in Brading, on the Isle of Wight in England. It's about 3 miles south of Ryde. The house has parts built in the Tudor and Jacobean styles, with some newer additions. Inside, you can find old family militaria (military items). The Oglander family has lived here for a very long time, since the Norman times! Nunwell House is considered a special historic building, known as a Grade II* listed building.
The house is located on a slight hill to the northwest of Brading. From Nunwell House, you can see great views of Brading harbour and the nearby St. Helens Road.
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History of Nunwell House
Nunwell was an important estate even before the Norman Conquest in 1066. It was owned by Earl Tostig at that time. Later, in 1086, the king owned it.
The Oglander Family's Long History
The Oglander family has been connected to Nunwell for many centuries. While it's a bit hard to know exactly when they first lived there, we know for sure that Henry Oglander held Nunwell by the end of the 1200s. The manor (the estate and its main house) was passed down through the Oglander family for generations.
Changes and Important Events
In the 1400s, a part of the original Nunwell manor house was destroyed by fire. Sir John Oglander, who lived in the 1600s, wrote about how the old house was "altogether dilapidated" after the fire. Before that, it was a grand house with a village of fifty homes nearby.
Sir John Oglander was a very important person during his time. He was a Royalist, meaning he supported the King. He held important jobs like deputy governor of Portsmouth and deputy-lieutenant of the Isle of Wight.
King Charles I's Visit
One of the most famous events at Nunwell House happened when Sir John Oglander hosted King Charles I. This was a very significant moment because it was the King's last night of freedom before he was captured during the English Civil War.
Sir John Oglander also kept many valuable notes about the local area. These historical notes are still carefully preserved at Nunwell House today, giving us a peek into the past.
The Baronet Title
After Sir John Oglander died in 1655, his son William took over the estate. King Charles II gave William a special title: he was made a "baronet" in 1665. A baronet is a hereditary title, meaning it can be passed down through the family, similar to a knight but with a higher rank.
The manor continued to be passed down through the Oglander family, always going to the next baronet. This continued until Sir Henry Oglander, the seventh baronet, died in 1874 without any children. He left the estate to his cousin, John Henry Glynn. To follow Sir Henry's wishes, John Henry Glynn changed his last name to Oglander in 1895 and became the owner of Nunwell.
Nunwell House Grounds
Nunwell House is built on a rising piece of land, at the end of a large, open lawn. Behind the house, there's a lovely group of ash and lime trees. The property also features a beautiful 5.5-acre garden. This garden includes a peaceful lily pond, making it a wonderful place to explore.
