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Pictures of Staunton Harold Hall

a Stately Home in the town of Staunton Harold, in the county of Leicestershire

Lion photographed on roof of Staunton harold hall, by richyp. 2002

About Staunton Harold Hall

This is said to be one of the most delightful country houses in Leicestershire, it was the former home of the Ferrers family who had owned it from the time of William the Conqueror until the 20th century when it became a Cheshire Home for the disabled. This is now closed.

Staunton was mentioned in the Doomsday Book when it was held by Henry de Ferrers. The first house here was built here in 1324, it passed by the marriage of Margaret de Staunton to Ralph Shirley in 1423 into the hands of the Shirley family, but the Ferrers title was called out of abeyance by Charles II to signify his gratitude for the family's loyalty during the Civil War.

The Hall remained largely unaltered until the time of Sir Robert Shirley, Ist Earl of Ferrers, when he mostly rebuilt and extended it in the 17th century. He also built the church in 1653, this adjoins the Hall. It was the 5th Earl, Washington Shirley, who is responsible for the present Palladian style Hall to which was later added the impressive Georgian front. This is startling in its sheer beauty, the brick is mellow, dressed with soft stone, the centre is pedimented and surmounted by figures of Minerva, Ceres and Apollo.

Interestingly, the Ist Earl had 27 children, he was a patron of Robert Bakewell who made for him the magnificent wrought iron screen at the chancel entrance to the church. This is one of the few churches to be built between the Civil War and the Restoration, it is arguably one of the most perfect church buildings in the country, and architecturally one of the most unspoilt. It is now the property of the National Trust. Above the doorway can still be seen the words of its founder Robert Shirley who built it as an act of defiance against the Commonwealth during a period when new churches in England were rare. The reading is as follows:-

"In the year 1653 when all things sacred throughout ye nation either demolished or profaned Sir Robert Shirley, Baronet, founded this church; Whose singular praise it is to have done the best things in the worst times, and hoped them the most callamitous"

The church was never intended as a showpiece, it was built in the Perpendicular style of two centuries earlier, all its original fittings remain in place.

Sir Robert Shirley died in The Tower of London at the age of 28, he had been imprisoned there several times for plotting against the Commonwealth. He was brought back from London and buried in the church he had built.

Both the Hall and Church are set in the most glorious countryside, to the rear of the Hall there is the Ferrers Craft Centre from which you can purchase quality pottery and other crafts. There is also a flourishing Garden Centre set in the old walled gardens of the Hall. This sells a mixture of garden sundries together with an excellent range of unusual tropical plants which are kept in the Hall's impressive Victorian greenhouse.

The National Trust opens the church on several afternoons throughout the summer.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Staunton Harold Hall.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Staunton Harold Hall

Staunton Harold Church(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)Pictures
New Lount Nature Reserve(2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction SE)Pictures
Calke Abbey(2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction NW)Pictures
Staunton Harold Reservoir(2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction N)Pictures
Melbourne Hall(2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction N)Pictures
Ashby de la Zouch Castle(2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction S)Pictures
Grace Dieu Priory(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction SE)Pictures
Conkers(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction SW)Pictures
Moira Furnace Museum(5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Sence Valley Forest Park(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction S)Pictures

All attractions in Leicestershire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Staunton Harold Hall

Staunton Harold, in the county of Leicestershire (0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
Staunton was mentioned in the Doomsday Book when it was held by Henry de Ferrers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ashby de la Zouch, in the county of Leicestershire (2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction SW)
This town takes its name from the La Souche family, lords of the manor from about 1160. The Norman prefix distinguishes Ashby from other towns of similar name.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Swarkestone, in the county of Derbyshire (4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction N)
Swarkestone is a small enchanting village which grew up on the reeeded banks of the River Trent.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Repton, in the county of Derbyshire (6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction NW)
Repton is one of England's most ancient towns, it was once the capital of the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia and the church there is the burial ground of Saxon Kings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Burton upon Trent, in the county of Staffordshire (8.9 miles, 14.2 km, direction W)
Burton-on-Trent is an attractive town, it has a pleasing market place surrounded by pleasant properties, some being timber-frame black and white.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Derby, in the county of Derbyshire (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction N)
This is the premier town of the Shire, it is steeped in history with roots stretching to Roman times - the legions had a camp...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Loughborough, in the county of Leicestershire (9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction E)
The joyous sound of bells made in Loughborough have been rung all over the world since 1858, the date that John Taylor of Oxford...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Long Eaton, in the county of Derbyshire (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction NE)
Long Eaton is a small town lying on the River Trent around 8 miles east of Derby. The town has a history stretching back to the 7th century, but was for many centuries naught but a sleepy agricultural village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tutbury, in the county of Staffordshire (11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction NW)
This picturesque little town in the Dove Valley is dominated by the ruins of the medieval castle.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Quorn, in the county of Leicestershire (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction E)
Quorn can be found between Leicester and Loughborough, it is surrounded by magnificent countryside and a wealth of visitor attractions.
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All towns in Leicestershire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

East Midlands Airport(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction NE)
M1 Junction 23A(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction E)
Willington Station(6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction NW)
M1 Junction 23(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction E)
Peartree Station(7.9 miles, 12.6 km, direction N)
Birmingham International Airport(26.1 miles, 41.9 km, direction SW)
Staunton Harold Hall to London(104.4 miles, 168.0 km, direction SE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Staunton Harold Hall

Hotel Name
The Queens Head Hotel(2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction SW)
The Hardinge Arms(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction N)
The Priest House On The River(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction NE)
Hermitage Park Hotel(5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction SE)
Donington Manor Hotel(5.6 miles, 8.9 km, direction NE)
Thistle Hotel and Conference Centre East Midlands Airport(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction NE)
Express By Holiday Inn Nottingham East Midlands Airport(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction NE)
The Grange Courtyard(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction E)
Unicorn Inn(6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction NW)
Ramada Newton Park Burton(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NW)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts


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