Wimpole Estate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wimpole Hall |
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The entrance front
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| Type | Country house |
| Location | Wimpole |
| Area | Cambridgeshire |
| Built | 1640–1650 extended 1713-1716 remodelled 1742-1745 remodelled 1790-1794 remodelled c.1842 |
| Architect | James Gibbs Henry Flitcroft John Soane Henry Edward Kendall |
| Owner | National Trust |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Wimpole Hall | |
| Designated | 22 Nov 1967 |
| Reference no. | 1128166 |
| Official name: Wimpole Hall | |
| Designated | 16 January 1985 |
| Reference no. | 1000635 |
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Wimpole Estate is a huge property in Cambridgeshire, England. It's home to Wimpole Hall, a grand country house located near the village of Wimpole. The estate is about 8.5 miles (13.7 kilometres) southwest of Cambridge.
The house was started in 1640. Today, Wimpole Hall and its 3,000 acres (12 km2) of parkland and farmland are owned by the National Trust. This means it's kept safe for everyone to enjoy. Wimpole is the biggest house in Cambridgeshire. Lots of people visit Wimpole Estate every year to explore its history and beautiful grounds.
Contents
Discovering Wimpole's Past
Wimpole has a very long history. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book way back in 1086. Back then, it had a manor house with a moat, surrounded by a small 81 hectares (200 acres) deer park. There were also three medieval villages nearby.
Owners Through the Ages
The Chicheley family owned Wimpole for over 250 years, starting in 1428. Thomas Chicheley built the "new" house, which was finished in 1650. He also created the first formal gardens. Later, due to money problems, he had to sell the estate.
Over the centuries, Wimpole Hall had many different owners. These included important families like the Harleys and the Earls of Hardwicke. Each owner often added their own touch to the house or its gardens.
Royal Visit to Wimpole Hall
A very special event happened on October 27, 1843. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Wimpole Hall! They listened to speeches and enjoyed a big dinner with 26 guests. In the evening, a ball was held. The next morning, Queen Victoria visited the farm before heading back to London.
The Kipling Connection
In 1938, Captain George Bambridge and his wife, Elsie Bambridge, bought Wimpole Hall. Elsie was the daughter of the famous writer Rudyard Kipling. They used money from her father's books to fix up the house and grounds, which really needed work. For example, during World War II, the house didn't even have running water or electricity!
Elsie Bambridge was known for being quite particular. She didn't like people having picnics too close to the house. When she passed away in 1976, she left Wimpole Hall to the National Trust. This made sure the estate would be preserved for future generations.
Architects and Art at Wimpole
Many famous architects have worked on Wimpole Hall over the years. These include James Gibbs in the early 1700s and John Soane in the 1790s. Their designs helped shape the grand look of the house. Inside, you can see beautiful paintings by James Thornhill from 1721.
In 2014, two old marble busts of Roman emperors, Trajan and Galba, were brought back to Wimpole. They were placed on their original wooden stands, which were carved for them around 1860.
Inside Wimpole Hall
Wimpole Hall has many amazing rooms to explore. Each room tells a story about the people who lived there and how the house changed over time.
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The Yellow Drawing Room, designed in 1793
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The chapel, with murals finished in 1724
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The Plunge Bath, built around 1792
Exploring the Grounds
The huge grounds of Wimpole Hall were first enclosed in 1302. Over the centuries, many famous landscape designers helped shape them. These included Charles Bridgeman and "Capability" Brown.
Key Features of the Park
- The Grand Avenue: A long, straight avenue stretches for two and a half miles from the house. It's a striking contrast to the more natural-looking parts of the park.
- North Park: This area has lovely woodlands, rolling hills, and scattered trees. You can also find the Gothic Tower and restored lakes here.
- Lakes: A series of lakes were created between 1695 and 1767.
- St Andrew's Church: This church, built in 1749, is also on the estate.
- Wimpole's Folly: This is a "fake" Gothic Tower built in 1768. It looks like an old castle ruin.
- Home Farm: A working farm was established in 1792.
- Walled Garden: This garden dates back to the 18th century.
- Stable Block: The stables were built in 1851.
- Dutch Garden: This garden near the hall was created in 1980, based on a 19th-century design.
Important Buildings at Wimpole
Many buildings and structures at Wimpole Park Estate are "listed." This means they are important historical sites that need to be protected.
- Wimpole Hall: The main house is a neo-classical building. It has a Grade I listing, which is the highest level of protection.
- The Estate: The park and gardens themselves are also Grade I listed.
- Entrance Gates: The gates at the west entrance are listed Grade II.
- Stable Block: The stables have a Grade II* listing, meaning they are especially important.
Other Listed Structures
- Garden Features: Several items in the gardens, like vases and a sculpture of Samson, are listed Grade II. Steps, walls, and railings are also listed.
- Ha-ha: These hidden ditches, which keep animals out of the gardens without blocking views, are listed Grade II.
- Wimpole's Folly: The castle-like folly has a Grade II* listing.
- Walled Garden: The walled garden and the gardener's cottage are both listed Grade II.
- Game Larder: This building, used for storing game, is also listed Grade II.
Wimpole for the Community
Wimpole Park is a popular place for many activities. The National Trust organizes events, and people can also visit on their own.
- Parkrun: Since 2013, Wimpole Park has hosted a free, weekly 3.1 mi (5.0 km) run called parkrun. Over 200 people participate every Saturday morning.
- Farm Technology: In 2019, the National Trust farm tested a special robot named Tom. This robot can map weeds very precisely. Wimpole Estate plans to use this battery-powered robot during the growing season. This shows how old estates can also use new technology!
Images for kids
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Wimpole Hall in 1880
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The parterre on the north front
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Wimpole's Folly, designed in 1751
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The lake and Gothic folly in the grounds
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Wimpole the stable block, built in 1851
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Wimpole glasshouses in the kitchen garden
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St Andrew's Church
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Memorials and tombs in St Andrew's Church
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Chancel of St Andrew's Church
