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!

Beeston Lock Cottages

There is lots of history surrounding Beeston Lock and the cottages that still stand here today.

Over the years, there have been many families who have lived here.  The Barker’s, the Eaton’s, The Rice’s and a famous Victorian boxer!

This area has seen deaths, floods, burglaries and the comings and goings of many a boat laden with cargo.

There are reports that the Lock Keepers cottage was burgled while the family was out and that £40 worth of goods were stolen, including silver coins, a plate and some cash.

A convicted criminal also made his passage through the lock after being released from prison.

An Easter boat trip by a group of friends ended in their boat capsizing and an 18 year man drowned.

In 1932, a man named John Roe went missing from his home at 4am, one cold January morning.  His disappearance was reported to the police but sadly, a couple of months later, a 15 year old boy discovered his body in the canal by the lock.

With so much history, we know this place is going to be a great place to visit!!

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.