Clipsham Hall
| Clipsham Hall | |
| Rutland | |
|---|---|
 Entrance to the Grounds of Clipsham Hall | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SK970164 |
| Location: | 52°44’13"N, -0°33’48"W |
| Village: | Clipsham |
| History | |
| Country House | |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | Private |
Clipsham Hall is a grade II* listed mansion house in a broad estate at Clipsham in Rutland. It was owned for several generations by the Davenport-Handleyfamily, until the death of Sir David Davenport-Handley in 2014, when it was put up for sale.[1]
Clipsham Hall is a fine, stone-built mansion (of the local Clipsham stone) built in the classical Doric order. It was built around 1700, but incorporating a wall built in 1582, it has mid-19th century additions.[2]
The hall and the estate with its productive quarries, came into the Handley family in 1865, when John Handley bought the estate. Handley was a banker and Member of Parliament for Newark. After his death, John Handley left the estate to his nephew, William Davenport from Cheshire and as a condition of the inheritance William took the additional surname 'Handley'.[3]
Yew Tree Avenue
Within the estate is the remarkable Yew Tree Avenue. Once the carriage drive to Clipsham Hall, it is distinguished by the fantastical topiary of the yew trees. The avenue is now maintained by the Forestry Commission on a long lease from the estate.[4]
The avenue stretches for over 500 yards, with some 150 shaped yew trees leading towards the Hall. Many of the trees are over 200 years old and have been trimmed since 1870 into various shapes depicting birds and animals on the tops and designs in relief on the sides.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Clipsham Hall) |
References
- ↑ Clipsham Hall Goes up for Sale - The Stamford Mercury, Thursday 15 May 2014
- ↑ Clipsham Hall, Clipsham - British Listed Buildings
- ↑ Clipsham Stone Cutting: A History of the Quarries
- ↑ [http://www.forestry.gov.uk/kestevenforest Forestry Commission - Kesteven Forest