The Manor (Cambridgeshire) facts for kids
The Manor is a very old house. It is in the village of Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire. Builders finished it around the 1130s. This makes it one of Britain's oldest homes. People have lived here without stopping for over 900 years! Even with many changes, much of the original house is still there.
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The Manor House: A Journey Through Time
The Manor House has stood for centuries. It has seen many changes. Yet, it still keeps its ancient charm. It is a special place to visit.
A Very Old Home
The Manor was built in the 1130s. This means it is almost 900 years old. It is one of the oldest houses in Britain. People have lived in it continuously. This makes it very unique. Even after many years, the house looks much like it did long ago.
Famous People Who Lived Here
Many interesting people have called The Manor home. Some were known for their beauty. Others were famous writers.
The Beautiful Gunning Sisters
In the 1700s, two sisters lived at The Manor. They were Maria and Elizabeth Gunning. People called them the "Beautiful Miss Gunnings." They were known across Europe for their looks. A poet named William Cowper saw them. He said they looked like "nymphs" full of grace.
Maria later married an important noble. He was the Earl of Coventry. Elizabeth married two dukes. First, she married the Duke of Hamilton. Later, she married the Duke of Argyll. She had two sons with each husband. This meant she became the mother of four dukes!
Lucy M. Boston and Green Knowe
A famous writer named Lucy M. Boston bought the house in 1939. She renamed it Green Knowe. She wrote several popular children's books about the house. Almost everything in her books is real. You can find it at The Manor. Only a fictional statue of St Christopher is not real.
During Second World War, Lucy Boston helped soldiers. She played music for nearby airmen. She used a gramophone for these concerts. Lucy Boston passed away in 1990. The house still looks much as she left it. You can visit The Manor today. You just need to make an appointment.
The Gardens of The Manor
Lucy Boston also created the beautiful gardens. A moat surrounds them. The gardens have special trimmed bushes called topiary. You can also see old roses. There are award-winning irises too. Many other colorful plants grow in the herbaceous borders.
