Elton Hall

Elton Hall Description

Elton Hall is an extraordinary, romantic, part Gothic house which has been in the Proby family since 1660; the Hall, which stands in the midst of unspoilt landscaped parkland, is a fascinating mix of styles surrounded by stunning gardens. There is also a garden centre and restaurant to visit.

The Hall is a mixture of styles. The garden or south front incorporates the 15th century tower and chapel which were built at the time of Henry VII. In the 17th century a new wing was added to the west. The Marble Hall and main staircase, designed by Henry Ashton, are remarkable examples of a mid-Victorian revival of mid-18th century style.

The Drawing Room is the largest room in the house and was formed from the medieval Chapel around 1740. The 18th century ceiling with its enriched cornice and frieze remains, but the present decoration dates from 1860.

The Dining Room was built in 1860 and designed by Henry Ashton. The three large Gothic windows are exact copies of the windows that were in the North wall of the medieval Chapel. The Library contains a large collection of books and represents a continuous interest from the time of Sir Thomas Proby, Bt.

From the Main Library a short passage leads to the Inner Library situated in the medieval Sapcote Tower. Other rooms of special interest are the Lower and Upper Octagon rooms, the Yellow Drawing Room and the Ante Dining room.

The current Chapel was formed from part of the undercroft of the Sapcotes' Chapel and has 15th century vaulting.

The Garden
Very little evidence remains of the original garden. You can see from a drawing by Buck in 1730 that a formal garden was laid out to the north-east of the house. There are some sketches of what the informal grounds looked like in the mid to late 18th century as formal gardens and pleasure grounds were only laid out in the 1890s. All that remains from the early plantings are some of the mature trees, the box parterre and the four conical yew shapes to the south of the Hall.

The structure of the garden you see today was laid out in 1913. By 1980 a large part of this Edwardian garden had fallen into disrepair and since the early 1980s there has been a major restoration programme. The flower garden has been replanted and a new sunken garden, a shrub garden and an arboretum created. The Gothic orangery was built to celebrate the Millennium and a Gothic arbour was completed to mark the Jubilee celebrations.

Corporate Events and Private Parties:
The 200 acres of parkland surrounding Elton Hall offer a beautiful and well-situated venue for holding outdoor events. Whether a Classic Car Show, an Antiques Fair, a Concert, or a private party, the Parkland provides a picturesque location with the stunning backdrop of the Hall.

Opening Times - 2011

• May Bank Holiday: Sunday 29th and Monday 30th
• June & July:Wednesdays & Thursdays
• August: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays plus August Bank Holiday Monday 29th
• Open: 2 - 5 pm

Admission Prices - 2011

Hall & Gardens:

• Adult - £8
• Concession - £7

Gardens only:

• Adult - £5.50
• Concession - £5
• Accompanied children under 16: Free

Groups Welcome (minimum 20 people)