Story Search Results

Hickleton Hall and the Meynells #38

...rd became Viceroy of India from 1926 to 1929 and Foreign Secretary during the Second World War and created Earl of Halifax in 1944. So quite a lineage that she was born into! During the Second World War the house was actually the headquarters of I Corps after the Dunkirk evacuation in May 1940. Emily was tutored here by a Charles Dodgson who came from Christ Church in Oxford in 1852.  He would later become the famous author Lewis Carroll who wrote 'Alice in Wonderland' among other stories.  The mirror over the fireplace inspired his story about 'Alice through the looking glass'.  When Emily got married in 1863 she took this mirror with her to her new hom...

Hickleton Hall and the Meynells #43

...rd became Viceroy of India from 1926 to 1929 and Foreign Secretary during the Second World War and created Earl of Halifax in 1944. So quite a lineage that she came from! During the Second World War the house was actually the headquarters of I Corps after the Dunkirk evacuation in May 1940. Emily was one of eight children, having five brothers and two sisters, although one brother, John, died in infancy as was common in those days. It must have been a bustling household with so many little ones running around keeping the nursemaids on their toes! Hickleton was not as huge as Hoar Cross Hall, probably half the size, but it did still have servants quarters, s...

The Halifax Estates - Garrowby #46

...Hugo Meynell-Ingram and his wife Emily Charlotte built Hoar Cross Hall to be their home after getting married in 1863. Emily was the daughter of Sir Charles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax who owned considerable estates in the north of England. Their wealth came from the discovery of coal on their ancestral estate. In addition to this Sir Charles had a very successful political career, owning many seats in Garrowby and Pocklington near York; Hickleton near Doncaster and a home in Belgrave Square, London. He was a member of the Whig party, which in those days was likened to the Liberal party of today and served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1846-52. In the 1850...

Queen Alexandra - my family #51

...More photos from the album of Queen Alexandra in the run up to the Coronation showing members of the royal family at leisure in the early part of the 20th century.  Alexandra enjoyed photography as a hobby and in 1908 put together an album of her personal photos to be sold for charity. In it are photos of her husband King Edward VII and other royals spending time at Balmoral and Sandringham during their holidays – a rare insight into how the royal family spent their leisure time, which in those days would never have been seen before.     The Emperor of Russia's family This picture was taken on board the Emperor of Russia's yacht, 'Standart' as they sail...

The Ballroom #70

...Continuing my series on the rooms that were open to the public at Hoar Cross Hall, we move from the Library, through the secret door, to the Ballroom.  Overlooking the gardens and the former deer-park, this beautifully proportioned room is elegant and grand.  The lower halves of the walls are covered in carved white and gold wood panelling which is complemented by the original hand printed blue wallpaper, again over 150 years old (see photo below).  Incredibly the original wooden printing blocks for the wallpaper were in the house when we moved in and were on show to the public in this room.  The fireplaces are made of marble with carved wood overmantels wh...