Stanford Hall, Leicestershire facts for kids
Stanford Hall is a grand old house, also known as a stately home, located in Leicestershire, England. It's close to the village of Stanford on Avon and the town of Lutterworth. This historic building has a long and interesting past.
Contents
The Story of Stanford Hall
Building a Grand Home
Stanford Hall has been the home of the Cave family since around 1430. The main house you see today was built in the 1690s. Sir Roger Cave, 2nd Baronet, had it built. A baronet is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family.
The house was designed in the "William and Mary" style. This style was popular when King William III and Queen Mary II ruled England. The architect who designed this beautiful building was William Smith of Warwick.
Family and Changes
In 1792, a woman named Sarah inherited the Stanford Hall estate. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Cave. Sarah married Henry Otway and later received the title of Baroness Braye in 1839. Her family still lives at Stanford Hall today.
The River Avon flows right through the grounds of the hall. There's a small lake formed by a weir, which is like a small dam.
A Place for Invention
In the 1890s, an amazing inventor named Percy Pilcher worked here. He was a pioneer in aviation, meaning he was one of the first people to try to fly. Percy built some of his early gliders at Stanford Hall.
He also built a powered flying machine. Many historians believe this machine could have flown! Sadly, Percy Pilcher died in an accident nearby in 1899. He never got to try out his powered machine. Today, you can see an exact copy of Pilcher's "The Hawk" glider at the hall.
Wartime and Restoration
During World War II, Stanford Hall became a safe place for children. Nuns and students from a school in London were evacuated here. Their school in London was badly damaged during the war.
After the war, the hall needed a lot of repairs, especially its roof. In 1958, after much work and help, Stanford Hall was opened to the public.
Visiting Stanford Hall
What to See and Do
Today, Stanford Hall is a fun place to visit. It's open to the public on certain days of the year. You can take guided tours of the house and its beautiful gardens. There's also a forge, where metal is shaped, and a lovely rose garden.
Inside the house, you'll find 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 used for many exciting events. These include concerts and shows for classic cars. The hall has hosted the annual National Mini Day for owners of Mini cars since 1983.
Since 2003, Stanford Hall has also been the home of Firework Champions. This is a big competition where different teams put on amazing firework displays.
Part of the parkland around the hall is a special protected area. It's called Stanford Park and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This is because many different types of lichen grow on the trees there. Lichens are tiny living things that look like moss or crusts on rocks and trees.
