Story Search Results

My Dad Bought A Mansion! #1

...estate. A doctor had rented it for about ten years and then a caretaker had been installed and he and his family lived in a few rooms on the first floor.  Their daughter was the same age as me and we soon became firm friends as we explored the house together.  The sweeping drive, which was circular at the end, finished under a large stone porch.  A flight of steps arrived at the enormous front doors which opened into the Entrance Hall.  Next to the porch outside was a mounting block.  This was a stone block with two steps up to the top and was used for mounting a horse.  These were very common until the late 18th century and were often seen outside church...

The War Years and Beyond #36

...During the Second World War, life in country houses changed dramatically. It was no different at Hoar Cross Hall. The flower borders on the main lawns were turfed over to reduce maintenance and vegetables were grown in areas formerly restricted to flowers. Evacuees from Birmingham came to stay for the duration of the war and they lived in the basement, as it was considered to be the safest place. I imagine that they must have been in the care of the servants as they were living amongst them but it must also have been quite exciting for them to move from a bombed out city to the relative safety of the countryside, although they must have missed their parents of c...

My Dad Bought a Mansion #1

...estate. A doctor had rented it for about ten years and then a caretaker had been installed and he and his family lived in a few rooms on the first floor. Their daughter was the same age as me and we soon became firm friends as we explored the house together. The sweeping drive, which was circular at the end, finished under a large stone porch. A flight of steps arrived at the enormous front doors which opened into the Entrance Hall. Next to the porch outside was a mounting block. This was a stone block with two steps up to the top and was used for mounting a horse. These were very common until the late 18th century and were often seen outside churches and publi...

Growing up in a stately home #1

...estate. A doctor had rented it for about ten years and then a caretaker had been installed and he and his family lived in a few rooms on the first floor. Their daughter was the same age as me and we soon became firm friends as we explored the house together. The house itself was at the end of a long drive which finished under a large stone porch. A flight of steps arrived at the enormous front doors which opened into the Entrance Hall. Next to the porch outside was a mounting block. This was a stone block with two steps up to the top and was used for mounting a horse. These were very common until the late 18th century and were often seen outside churches and pu...