Stokesay Court facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stokesay Court |
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"The most grandiloquent Victorian mansion in the county"
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| Location | Onibury, Shropshire, England |
| Built | 1889–1895 |
| Built for | John Derby Allcroft |
| Original use | Country house |
| Architect | Thomas Harris |
| Architectural style(s) | Jacobethan |
| Governing body | Privately owned |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Stokesay Court | |
| Designated | 28 January 1974 |
| Reference no. | 1269851 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Stables, outbuildings and house at Stokesay Court | |
| Designated | 15 March 1974 |
| Reference no. | 1269855 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Bridge on drive at Stokesay Court | |
| Designated | 21 June 1996 |
| Reference no. | 1269852 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Lodge and attached wall at Stokesay Court | |
| Designated | 15 March 1974 |
| Reference no. | 1269854 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Entrance gates, piers, wing walls and screens at Stokesay Court | |
| Designated | 15 March 1974 |
| Reference no. | 1269853 |
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Stokesay Court is a large and impressive country house. It is located in Shropshire, England, near a village called Onibury. A famous historian, John Newman, once called it "the most grandiloquent Victorian mansion in the county." This means it was the most fancy and magnificent house built in the Victorian era in that area. Stokesay Court is also a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historical building that is protected.
Contents
History of Stokesay Court
Stokesay Court was built for a wealthy man named John Derby Allcroft. He hired an architect named Thomas Harris to design it.
Who Was John Derby Allcroft?
John Derby Allcroft made a lot of money in the glove-making business. His family's company, Dent, Allcroft & Co., became the biggest glove maker in the world! But John Derby Allcroft was more than just a businessman. He was also a philanthropist, which means he gave a lot of money to good causes. He helped build churches and was a major supporter of Christ's Hospital school. He was also a member of parliament, meaning he was a politician who helped make laws for the country.
Building the Mansion
John Derby Allcroft bought the land for Stokesay Court in 1868. He already owned Stokesay Castle, but he didn't think it was a good place for his growing family to live. He also had a small house on the new land, but it wasn't big enough either. So, he decided to build a brand new, very large house.
Work on Stokesay Court started in 1889 and finished in 1892. Sadly, John Derby Allcroft died just six months after his grand house was completed.
Modern Features and Family Life
Stokesay Court was very modern for its time. It was one of the first houses in England to have electric lights built right into it. These were installed in 1891! The beautiful gardens around the house were designed by Henry Ernest Milner.
After John Derby Allcroft passed away, the house stayed in his family. It went to his son Herbert, then to his grandson Russell, and later to his granddaughter Jewell.
Stokesay Court During the Wars
Stokesay Court played a part in both World Wars.
- During the First World War, it became a hospital for soldiers who were recovering from injuries.
- In the Second World War, it was used as a temporary home for students from Lancing College. It also served as a training school for young military leaders.
Recent Times
After Jewell Magnus-Allcroft died in 1992, her family inherited the estate. To help pay for important repairs to the house, they decided to sell many of its valuable contents. This included furniture, art, and other items. The sale happened in 1994 and raised a lot of money – about £4.5 million! Today, Stokesay Court is owned by Jewell's niece, Caroline Magnus.
Stokesay Court on Screen
You might have even seen Stokesay Court before without knowing it! The house was the main location for filming the 2007 movie Atonement.
Architecture and Views
Stokesay Court is known for its impressive design. It looks out over the town of Ludlow and the beautiful Clee Hills. As mentioned before, it's considered "the most grandiloquent Victorian mansion in the county." It is a Grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important and protected example of Victorian architecture.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Shropshire Council (H–Z)
- Listed buildings in Onibury
