Peckover House and Garden facts for kids
Peckover House & Garden is a fascinating old house and garden. It is looked after by the National Trust. You can find it in North Brink, Wisbech, in Cambridgeshire, England. It's a great place to explore history and nature.
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A Look Back: History of Peckover House
The house was first built way back in 1722. Later, a man named Alfred Southwell bought it. Towards the end of the 1700s, Jonathan Peckover purchased the house. His family, the Peckovers, owned it for a long time.
The Peckover Family and Their Bank
The Peckovers were a special family. They were Quakers, a type of Christian group known for their simple living. They also owned a very important business: the Peckover Bank. Because of this, the house was known as Bank House while they lived there. In 1907, a family member, Alexander Peckover, was given a special title: Baron Peckover.
Peckover House During World War II
During the Second World War, something interesting happened. Local stories say that Alexandrina Peckover, a big supporter of the war effort, made a huge donation to the Wisbech Spitfire Fund. This fund helped buy Spitfire planes for the war. People say she did this instead of giving up the metal railings in front of her house. Many metal railings were collected during the war to be melted down and used for weapons.
Becoming a National Trust Property
The Peckover family gave this wonderful house to the National Trust in 1948. The National Trust is a charity that protects historic places and natural beauty. In 1985, Peckover House was given a "Grade II listed building" status. This means it's an important historic building that needs to be protected. The garden was even filmed by the BBC in 1997!
Exploring the House and Gardens
From the outside, Peckover House looks quite simple. But step inside, and you'll find beautiful rooms. They have fancy wooden panels and old fireplaces. The ceilings are decorated with ornate plaster designs.
The Walled Garden
Behind the house, there's a lovely Victorian walled garden. It's about 0.8 hectares (2 acres) in size. This garden is full of interesting and rare trees. You can also see charming summer houses. There are even orange trees that are thought to be 300 years old! The garden also has pretty roses and colourful herbaceous borders. You can find a fernery and a croquet lawn too.
Other Features in the Grounds
In the garden, there's a small pet cemetery. It's still used today for beloved pets. Nearby, you can see the 'White Cross of the Low'. This is another historic item. Its remains were found in the River Nene. It once stood at a place called The Low before the Reformation.
Nearby Connections
Across the river, there's another old bank house. This one used to belong to James Hill. He was a merchant and banker. His daughter was Octavia Hill, who helped start the National Trust! This house, now called Octavia Hill Birthplace House, is also open to visitors. You can see a historical mantrap that once belonged to the Peckovers. It is now on display at the Wisbech & Fenland Museum.
The Reed Barn
The old Reed Barn on the property has an interesting past. During Second World War, it was used as an amateur theatre. People think it might have been a theatre even before the Georgian Theatre opened in Deadman's Lane.
Modern Use of the Barn
For a while, the Barn was a restaurant and gift shop. After the Covid-19 lockdown, it was changed. It became a special meeting place for people living with dementia. It also helps those who care for them. This change helps support the local community.
