Stanford Hall, Leicestershire facts for kids
Stanford Hall is a beautiful old country house in Leicestershire, England. It's close to the village of Stanford on Avon and the town of Lutterworth. This amazing house has a long history and lots of interesting things to see.
Contents
The Story of Stanford Hall
A Home for the Cave Family
Stanford Hall has been the home of the Cave family for a very long time, since around 1430. The main house you see today was built in the 1690s. It was made for Sir Roger Cave, 2nd Baronet. People say it's a perfect example of a "William and Mary" style house. This style was popular when King William III and Queen Mary II ruled England. The person who designed it was named William Smith.
Later, in 1792, a woman named Sarah inherited the Cave family estate. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Cave. Sarah married Henry Otway and was later given the special title of Baroness Braye in 1839. Her family still lives at Stanford Hall today.
The River Avon and Early Flight
The River Avon flows right through the beautiful grounds of Stanford Hall. There's a small dam downstream, which helps create a lovely little lake on the property.
In the 1890s, a very important person in aviation history, Percy Pilcher, worked here. He built some of his first gliders at Stanford Hall. He even built a flying machine that had an engine! Many historians believe it could have flown. Sadly, Percy Pilcher died in an accident nearby in 1899 before he could try to fly it. Today, you can see an exact copy of his famous glider, "The Hawk," at the hall.
Stanford Hall During Wartime
During World War II, Stanford Hall became a safe place for children. Nuns and students from a school in London moved there to escape the bombings. Their school in London was badly damaged, so after the war, they had to move to a new place.
After the war, the house needed a lot of care, especially its roof. But a special group helped get a large grant to fix it up. In 1958, Stanford Hall opened its doors to the public for the first time.
What to See and Do Today
Visiting Stanford Hall
Today, Stanford Hall is a fun place to visit. It's open to the public on certain days of the year. When you visit, you can take guided tours to learn all about the house and its grounds. There's also a forge, which is a place where metal is shaped, and a beautiful rose garden to explore. You can also find a shop and tea rooms for a snack!
Inside the house, you'll see many old and valuable pieces of furniture. For example, one room has original furniture from the 1600s. This includes a long dining table and chairs from the time of King Charles II.
Events and Nature
The large grounds of Stanford Hall are often used for exciting events. You might find concerts or shows featuring classic cars there. For many years, it has hosted the annual National Mini Day, where owners of Mini cars gather. Since 2003, Stanford Hall has also hosted Firework Champions, which is a big firework competition in the UK.
Some parts of the parkland are very special for nature. This area is called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It's protected because it has many different kinds of lichen growing on the trees. Lichens are tiny living things that look a bit like moss or paint on tree bark.
