Story Search Results

Hoar Cross Hall - a bit of history #11

...de of the gardens were tennis courts and further into the woods were the greenhouses and a palm house; behind these were the walled kitchen gardens.  Next to the kitchen garden was the stable block which was also south facing and built in a U-shape.  This would have stabled many horses with living accommodation above for the grooms and stable boys.  There was also a paddock behind this for exercising the horses.  Various cottages were also built on the estate for the workers to live in so all in all it must have been quite an impressive set-up. But tragedy was to strike; Hugo had had a horse riding accident some fourteen months previously which had left him...

Hoar Cross Hall - a bit of history #13

...de of the gardens were tennis courts and further into the woods were the greenhouses and a palm house; behind these were the walled kitchen gardens. Next to the kitchen garden was the stable block which was also south facing and built in a U-shape. This would have stabled many horses with living accommodation above for the grooms and stable boys. There was also a paddock behind this for exercising the horses. Various cottages were also built on the estate for the workers to live in so all in all it must have been quite an impressive set-up.     But tragedy was to strike; Hugo had had a horse riding accident some fourteen months previously which had le...

The War Years and Beyond #40

...ng in the gardens. Over the next twenty years the beautiful gardens gradually fell into a state of decay, which is how we found them when we moved there in 1970. The overgrown gardens in 1970   By now much of the Meynell estate lands had been disposed of. Local properties were sold to tenants and others. The Hoar Cross estate, once the pivot of the local community and a source of employment, was being considerably reduced. Colonel Meynell, who had been seriously wounded in the Second World War, was suffering from his disability and it must have been difficult for him living in such a large house. Therefore, in 1952 the family bought a smaller house in ne...

Hoar Cross Hall - a bit of history #14

...de of the gardens were tennis courts and further into the woods were the greenhouses and a palm house; behind these were the walled kitchen gardens. Next to the kitchen garden was the stable block which was also south facing and built in a U-shape. This would have stabled many horses with living accommodation above for the grooms and stable boys. There was also a paddock behind this for exercising the horses. Various cottages were also built on the estate for the workers to live in so all in all it must have been quite an impressive set-up. But tragedy was to strike; Hugo had had a horse riding accident some fourteen months previously which had left him bed-rid...

Gardeners' World at Hoar Cross #36

...om of the gardens were smaller square gardens (including the stepping stone pond) all bordered by yew hedges.  These hedges were all trimmed into spectacular shapes and must have been a full time job for Mr Rowley!   (see header picture of Mr Rowley in the kitchen garden).     The yew hedges showing a letter 'M' for Meynell   The estate also had its own farm called Home Farm.  This supplied the house and staff with all the produce that they needed.  The carp pool provided fish and the regular pheasant shoots provided game for the table.  All very self sufficient!  In addition to the farm workers and gardeners were all sorts of other worker...

Hoar Cross Hall - a bit of history #17

...de of the gardens were tennis courts and further into the woods were the greenhouses and a palm house; behind these were the walled kitchen gardens. Next to the kitchen garden was the stable block which was also south facing and built in a U-shape. This would have stabled many horses with living accommodation above for the grooms and stable boys. There was also a paddock behind this for exercising the horses. Various cottages were also built on the estate for the workers to live in so all in all it must have been quite an impressive set-up. The old stable block, now a private home   But tragedy was to strike; Hugo had had a horse riding accident some fou...