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EASTON HALL AND GARDENS The gardens are about 400 years old covering 12 acres and were home to the Cholmeley family for 14 generations. There had been a house on this site since at least 1592.
The Hall was described in 1872 as large and handsome, elegantly furnished, containing many valuable paintings and other works of art. US President Franklin Roosevelt described the gardens as “A dream of Nirvana” and “Almost too good to be true.” He spent part of his honeymoon here with his bride, Eleanor.
Easton Hall was requisitioned during WWII. It became home to units of the Royal Artillery and of The Parachute Regiment, and suffered considerable damage. In 1951 the Hall was demolished, but a renovation project began in 2001. The Cholmeley family still live in the village and are responsible for the 2005 renovation of the hall’s gardens. n For more information, call 01476 530063 or visit the website www.visiteaston.co.uk.
“US PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT DESCRIBED EASTON AS A DREAM OF NIRVANA, AFTER VISITING ON HIS HONEYMOON...” 18
AUBOURN HALL, LINCOLN Aubourn Hall is an early to mid 17th century house. The house was built for Sir John Meres between 1587 and 1628, possibly on Tudor foundations. The property has been the home of the Nevile family since the 17th century, with the present owner being Christopher Nevile. The gardens of the Hall are now developed and open to the public on special open days, and it’s also a wedding venue. n For more information, call 01522 788224 or visit the website www.aubournhall.co.uk.
WELLINGORE HALL Wellingore Hall was the 18th century home of the Neviles who abandoned their ancestral home being Aubourn Hall, though the family returned to Aubourn after the Second World War. The central part of the Hall is thought to have been built in 1780 with additions in 1800 and 1876. It is now offices and apartments, which includes Belle & Bouquet and Aitch Interiors.
n For more info on the bridal shop, call 01522 811122 and for more info on the interior design studio, call 01522 810961.
Top: Normanby Hall. Above: Soldiers at Easton when it was a hospital around 1917. Below: Wellingore Hall. Right: Easton Hall.