Building record 2230/2/1 - Lilford Hall

House dates to the 1630s when the original tudor mansion was greatly extended. It is considered to be a fine example of Jacobean work, with considerable alterations in 18th Century by Henry Flitcroft. It was constructed in a U-shape to a symmetrical design and is of two storeys with attics. It using dressed stone, with elaborate gabled dormers, Collyweston slate roof and traditional stone chimneys, but used in a main feature comprising 13 shafts in a row. The interior was altered in the early 18th century. The house was used as an United States Air Force hopital from 1943 until 1945. Following the Second World War it was used as a Technical School for Polish refugee children aged 13-17. The school closed in 1954.

{1} Country house. Datestones 1635 and 1656 for William Elmes, altered C18 by Henry Flitcroft for Thomas Powys. Altered and extended mid C19 by W.G. Habershon of St. Neots and late C19 and early C20 by W. Dunn and R. Watson and others for Lord Lilford. Limestone ashlar with Collyweston slate roof. U-shape plan. 2 storeys with attic and part basement. Main Entrance Front to south west is probably 1635, restored C19. 9 bays with central and flanking flush gables. Central, single-storey, porch has arch-head doorway, with moulded keyblock, flanked by Roman Doric columns. Balcony above has balustrade of arches with central stalactites. Centre 7-window range of tall, 2-light, stone mullion windows with 2 2 transoms. Large flanking 2-storey bow windows of 8 lights with stone mullions and transoms. Balustrade to attic balconies, above boundaries, are similar to porch balcony. Venetian style, tripartite stone mullion attic windows, in flanking gables, have central arch-head lights. Similar, central, attic window has square-head centre light. 3 Dutch style gables with convex and concave parapets with intermediate finials and open ring apex finials. Gables are linked by open balustrade with intermediate finials. Raised bands linking ground and first floor window heads. Large central stack of 13 chimneys linked by arches was added c.1711 incorporating base of original stack with central roof access. Garden front to right of Main Entrance Front is of 7 bays. Flanking bays have flush gables similar to Main Entrance Front and bays to left and right of centre have intermediate gables. Mainly tall sash windows at ground floor, with plain surrounds, that to far left is now blind. Arch head window with flanking niches to first floor, far left. Venetian style windows to adjacent bay, at first floor, bay to right of centre and bay to far right. Other first fIoor windows are mainly 2-light stone mullion windows with transoms. Gables are linked by open balustrade, similar to Main Entrance Front. Ashlar stacks at ridge. First floor of 2 bays, to far right, is corbelled out and was added together with gable above in early C20. Elevation to left of Main Entrance Front is an irregular 10-window range of C17 and C19 stone mullion windows in similar style: 2 are Venetian style. 3 central gables. 2 bays to far left were raised early C20. Rear elevation to north-east has central 7 bays with projecting wings. Central, part-glazed, door has plain ashlar surround with stepped keyblock and cornice over. Flight of steps to door. 2-light stone mullion windows, with transoms, to ground and first floor and similar 2-light basement and later attic storey windows. Moulded stone cornice above first-floor windows has central bracketed pediment. Plain band between ground and first floor. Flanking wings have large lateral stacks immediately adjacent to centre range: right stack has date 1635 and left-stack has date 1656, both probably restored C19. Left hand wing has datestone 1858 and 1909, the latter refers to the addition of the upper storey. Upper storey of right-hand wing probably of same date. Both ends of wings have Dutch style gables similar to main entrance front and 3-window range of 2-light stone mullion windows, some with transoms. Central range has centre stack with 5 flues linked by arches. Interior: staircase remodelled by H. Flitcroft early/mid C18 with some C19 alterations. Spine corridor between entrance hall and staircase has plain arches with moulded cornices. Staircase around large open-well has 2 turned balusters per tread and scroll ends to treads. 2 Ionic columns support first floor landing with 2 Corinthian columns directly above. Walls are decorated with plaster panelling and swags. First floor doorcases are probably C19 with circular plaster panels above. Billiard room to far left of entrance has C17 panelling, probably reset and parts restored C19. Fireplace with 4-centred arch head has flanking wooden columns and overmantle with 3 pairs of columns and moulded cornice. Dining Room to right of entrance has C18 fireplace with scroll brackets and swags. Late C19/early C20 panelling incorporates hotplates and probably masks earlier decoration. Library to right of garden front has C19 bookcases and fireplace in C18 style. Music room to far right has early C20 panelling in C17 style. C17 archway to rear left of entrance gives access to domestic offices. C17 fireplace with 4-centred arch head in room adjacent. C19 kitchen with ranges. First floor rooms to centre and left of main entrance front: probably same date as staircase with C19 alterations. Centre room has fireplace overmantle with pediment and medallion. Dentilled cornice and circular ceiling panel. C19 medallion above door to right. Room to left has some C18 plasterwork. Ballroom to right has extensive plasterwork decoration and mirrored panels. Ceiling is probably C18 by Flitcroft, walls and ceiling have C19 embellishments. First floor rooms to garden front remodelled early C20. Fireplace in corridor is probably C17 origins with armorial device above. First floor room in west wing has C17 fireplace and room over kitchen has some C18 detailing. Remains of C17 long gallery, now subdivided; to attic storey of Main Entrance Front. Access via centre stack originally led to roof walk. William Elmes sold Lilford to Sir Thomas Powys in 1711 who was responsible for the internal remodelling. His great grandson was created Baron Lilford. The fourth and fifth Barons were responsible for much mid and late C19 and early C20 remodelling and extensions to the house. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.291; V.C.H.: Northamptonshire, Vol.3, p.227; Colvin, H.M., A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects (1660-1840), p.311; Country Life, January 27th, 1900, p.112-117; Northamptonshire Records Office, Architectural Drawings collection; RCHM: unpublished research).

{2} Country house with datestones 1635 and 1656. Built for William Elmes and altered C18th by Henry Flintcroft for Thomas Powys. Powys was responsible for internal remodelling. It was altered and extended mid C19th by W.G.Habershon of St Neots and late C19th and early C20th by W.Dunn, R.Watson and others for 4th and 5th Barons Lilford. Limestone ashlar with Collyweston slate roof and a U-shape plan.

{3} Fine south front dated c.1635 and two wings 1635 and 1656 respectively. The interior was much altered by Sir Thomas Powys who bought the house in 1711. The wing of 1656 was enlarged in 1858. Spectacular row of 13 chimneys connected by arches is dated to 1711 alterations.

{4} Lilford Hall lies near western limit of Lilford Park and possesses charming view over River Nene towards Pilton.
Detailed discussion of manorial lineage through medieval period. In the C15th William Brown settled the manors of Lilford and Papley on himself, his wife and the Elmes family. From 1489 -1699 the estate belonged to the Elmes family. Fine example of late Jacobean work built 1635, builder must have been William Elmes. Sir Thomas Powys purchased the property from its trustees in 1711. 1st Baron Lilford was created in 1797. The 4th Baron was founder of the Ornithologists Union in the C19th and his valuable collections were housed at Lilford.

{9} The Manor of Lilford was bought in 1473 by wealthy Stamford merchant William Browne. In 1489 his estates were inherited by his son-in-law John Elmes of Henley. William Elmes began building present house on inheriting estate in 1632. The last of the Elmes family died in 1699 and in 1711 Lilford was purchased by the former Solicitor General Sir Thomas Powys. After he inherited in 1720 his grandson Thomas employed Henry Flitcroft to modernise Lilford. The latter's son was created Baron Lilford in 1797. Remodelling of Lilford was undertaken in 1847 by William Gilbee Habershon who also worked for Lord Lilford at Bewley Hall in Cheshire and Castle Irwell in Lancashire. It remained with the Lords Lilford until requisitioned in WWII. It was bought back by 7th Lord Lilford in 1971 but not returned to domestic use.

{10} Photo of principal front of hall.

{13} House shown.

{14} House shown standing next to church.

{15} Coloured map showing No.4 "The Hall and Flower Garden etc".

{17} Renaissance-Tudor work of Lilford Hall towers among big trees and rolling lawns by The River Nene. Lilford was acquired and in part rebuilt by Sir Thomas Powys 2nd of two well known brothers who were judges. Sir Thomas was Attourney General for James II. He sacrificed court favour by treating fairly seven bishops who refused to read The Declaration of Indulgence. For this Sir Thomas was met with favour following Revolution and was able to purchase Lilford. His great-grandson was created Lord Lilford.

{19} The roof covering is in poor condition leading to water ingress and distress to the upper storeys. The front bays require structural attention. A schedule of urgent repairs has been identified but not implemented, and no long-term solution has been agreed.

{22} Hall, aviaries, gardens, lake, lodge gates and rock gardens.

{26} "Lilford Hall: watercolour from T.Jeffrey's engraving". Detailed architectural drawing.

{27} Thomas Powys, Esq. 2nd edition 1791. House only, no park.

{28} Plans and drawings relating to C18th and C19th alterations at Lilford.

{31} In 1925 agent A.G.Lascelles reported that all coal and coke for the house was supplied by Lord Lilford's Estate pits in Lancashire, Messrs. Fletcher and Co. Atherton Lancs.

{32} Detailed accounts of game, aviary, house, gardens and stables. Includes gardener's bills.

{35} Very handsome manor house was built by family of Elmes in 1635 but since much improved by Sir Thomas Powys late Lord of Manor.

{36} Seven undated photos;

{37} The Hall is in good condition. See photo.

{38} The Lilford House and Estate was used as a military hospital from 1943-1945 and from 1945-1954 a Technical school for Polish refugees.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 16/91 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G09 p.44-45 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.291 (checked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.227-30 (checked) (Series). SNN100370.

<5> Colvin H., 1995, A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects (1660-1840), p.311 (unchecked) (Book). SNN54451.

<6> 1900, Country Life (1900), p.112-7 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN105620.

<7> NRO Architectural Drawings collection, (unchecked) (Archive). SNN105621.

<8> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996 (circa), The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN103918.

<9> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996, The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, p.266 (checked) (Book). SNN41757.

<10> Gotch J.A., 1890, The Renaissance in Northamptonshire, p.87-114 (checked) (Paper/s). SNN42225.

<11> 1819, Uncertain, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN42011.

<12> 1847, Uncertain, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN42012.

<13> 1791, Lilford Estate Map, (checked) (Map). SNN41841.

<14> Pranker R.; Harris J., 1758, Illustration, (checked) (Print). SNN41820.

<15> 1862, Uncertain Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN41851.

<16> 1912, Uncertain, (checked) (Photographs). SNN41824.

<17> 1900, Lilford Hall, Oundle: The Seat of Lord Lilford, p.112-7 (checked) (Article). SNN41904.

<18> 1900, Powys Collection, (unchecked) (Document). SNN41828.

<19> Historic England, 2016, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2016, p. 52 (Report). SNN110747.

<20> Historic England, 2018, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2018, p. 59 (Report). SNN111434.

<21> CLARKE G., 1850, Uncertain, No.16 (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN56276.

<22> NRO Postcard Collection, 5189-94+5220-25+5295-300 (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN48692.

<23> 1829, Uncertain, (unchecked) (Print). SNN56277.

<24> Mowl T.; Hickman C., 2008, The Historic Gardens of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN106082.

<25> Tillemans P., 1721, A Prospect Down The River Nene of Achurch and Lilford, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN109153.

<26> CLARKE G., 1850, Pencil Sketches, No.53 (checked) (Drawing). SNN46354.

<27> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<28> 1750, Flitcroft Collection, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN42010.

<29> Gotch J.A., 1936, The Old Halls and Manor Houses of Northamptonshire, p.36-7 (unchecked) (Book). SNN44101.

<30> MARKHAM C.A., 1910, The Elmes Family of Lilford, p.167-9+247-9 (unchecked) (Series). SNN56269.

<31> BURT J., 1997, Research Notes, (checked) (Notes). SNN42016.

<32> Powys Collection, (unchecked) (Archive). SNN41827.

<33> CLARKE G., 1850, Uncertain, No.32 (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN54452.

<34> CLARKE G., 1850, Uncertain, No.7 (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN56275.

<35> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.241 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<36> Photographs of buildings in Lilford (Photographs). SNN112633.

<37> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 25-SEP-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<38> The Lilford Estate, Lilford Hall, [Accessed 02/06/2023] (Website). SNN115151.

<39> Historic England, LILFORD HALL, LILFORD CUM WIGSTHORPE, BF061880 (Archive). SNN115152.

<40> Historic England, Lilford Hall (Plans and photographs) (Archive). SNN115153.

Record last edited

Dec 16 2024 12:16PM