The History of Belgrave Hall

Belgrave Hall an amazing 18th century building and was home to several families throughout its time as a family dwelling.

Built in 1709 by Edmund Cradock, a Leicester hosiery merchant, the building was completed in 1713 unfortunely Edmund and his dear wife Ann died only two years after its completion.

The house, fronting onto Church Road, on a site adjacent to Belgrave Church. The house is a three-storey building, and you can still see today the lead rainwater heads with the Cradock family crest, some of which have a 1709 date and others with 1713.

Belgrave Hall has been home to many wealthy business men over the years, and all the owners have played a key part to the economic, social and charitable life of the community.

The family of John Ellis purchased Belgrave Hall in 1845 and were noted for their good work in the community. Ellis, a wealthy businessman, was responsible for bringing the railway to Leicester in 1833.

The History of Rufford Abbey

The Abbey was founded in 1145 by monks. although it took over one hundreds of years to complete, it was not a large monastery.

The abbey was closed in 1536 by order of Henry VIII and the estate was given to the Talbot family, Earl of Shrewsbury who used it as a part-time hunting lodge until around 1610. The Abbey was later acquired by the Savile family in 1626, it remained in their ownership until the mid-20th century.

In 1938, the Rufford estate was sold, this was quickly followed by military use during World War Two. The house continued to decay and in 1956 a controlled demolition had to be carried out leaving the building much as you see it today.

The History of Abington Manor

If you love history then you will love this location.

The Manor House would have been at the centre of the village listed in the Domesday Book.

The name Abington is Saxon and probably means Ab’s farm and was definitely a settlement at the time of Domesday.

The manor house we see today was built in the 15th Century and was home to Shakespeare’s last remaining relative, his granddaughter Elizabeth Bernard who is buried at the church not far away.

In 1669, vast parts of the original Manor House were demolished to make way for a larger, more lavish extension, retaining of course, the Great Hall and Oak Room.

In 1845, Abington Manor was sold to a Londoner who leased out the Manor to Dr Octavius Pritchard who used the property as a mental asylum. It remained as an asylum until 1892. Conditions in the asylum are not believed to have been overly cruel or unpleasant, however it has been reported that during this time two patients hung themselves. The property further exchanged hands in 1897 when it was given to the people of Northampton. It has remained as a museum until present day.

The History of Donington Le Heath Manor House

It is believed that Robert De Herle bought the land and had the house built between 1258 & 1295.

For nearly 700 years the house remained a family dwelling.

In the early part of the 16th century, the house was modernised and it was around this period the house may have been owned by the Digby family, who were caught up in the War of the Roses and the Battle at Bosworth.

And as history tells us, Sir Everard Digby achieved notoriety as one of the conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot in 1605; as an associate of Guy Fawkes.  His crimes would see him meet a ghastly demise.

The house was let to several families over the years and as there was no money to renovate, many of the original features from the past remain.

With so much history and so many families who once lived here, there is no question that Donington Le Heath 1620’s Manor House is haunted!

A house demolished and rebuilt 4 times

Originally built as a deer park in the 13th century the house would have initially been built around an enclosed courtyard.
The house has been demolished and rebuilt a total of 4 times however the courtyard area has remained unchanged.

The Herrick family owned this property as a family residence for 350 years but in 1939 the building was taken over by the Ministry of Defence and worked as a sub listening station to Bletchley Park.

The Museum itself dates back to 1857.

With long standing and temporary exhibits, the Museum and Art Gallery is fascinating.  There are historic artefacts from thousands of years ago and from all around the World as well as locally.  The Soldier’s Story Gallery contains uniforms, weapons, equipment and medals from three Regiments based in the area.  These regiments served all around the World and during both World Wars.

The highlights of the gallery are the two Ancient Egyptian mummies given to the museum by Joseph Strutt, the former Mayor of Derby. The Mummies have been on display at the museum since it opened in 1879.

The History of Newstead Abbey

Contrary to its current name, Newstead was never actually an abbey: it was a priory.

It was built during the 12th Century and even today, some of the original medieval characteristics of the building remain.

It is truly an amazing place to visit with 800 years of history to behold.

In the late 13th century, the priory was rebuilt and extended. It was extended again in the 15th-century, when the Dorter, Great Hall and Prior’s Lodgings were added.

The priory was designed to be home to at least 13 monks, although there appears to have been only 12 (including the Prior) at the time of the dissolution.

During the 19th Century, Newstead Abbey was the home to the famous poet Lord Byron. In 1818, he sold the house and grounds and during the Victorian era, other families resided here.

There is so much history associated with Newstead Abbey and we would love you to join us to discover more about the people who once lived here…