Chelmsford & District National Trust Supporter Group

Report by Ann Notman

On Monday 22 July we left Chelmsford under cloudy skies for our visit to Elton Hall. Our journey was uneventful and we arrived at Elton Hall mid-morning. After refreshments at the adjoining garden centre, we were split into three groups for our tour of the Grade I Baronial Hall.

The Proby family originally came from Chester. Sir Peter Proby was the first family member to acquire land at Elton in 1595. His grandson, Sir Thomas Proby, married a local heiress Frances Cotton, whereupon they acquired the site of the Hall and built a fine Restoration house in 1665, which incorporated the medieval chapel and gatehouse of the original Manor House. In the 18th century John Proby married an Irish heiress and became the Earl of Carysfort. His son was an inveterate builder and Gothicised the house, giving it dramatic appeal. Throughout the years successive generations have built additions and made alterations which can be seen in the interesting and attractive building it is today.

Many of the contents of the house were brought over from Glenart Castle, the Irish seat of the Carysforts in the 1920s. Ireland is the main residence of the family to this day. Paintings by famous artists including Gainsborough, Constable and Sir Joshua Reynolds are displayed throughout the house

The Chapel is part of the under croft of the original medieval chapel. The vaulted ceiling remains as it was originally built and was consecrated as a Chapel after the war. It is still used for services and family christenings. We exited the Chapel through the Lower Octagon room with an 18th century painting of Dublin harbour by Turner. On a side table was an intricate watch stand made of beef bones by Russian prisoners of war.

We went through the Marble Hall up the main staircase to the Upper Octagon Room with wall cabinets displaying Catherine the Great china. The Drawing room next door is at the centre of the house and was created out of the medieval chapel. It was last decorated in grand French style in 1860 and furnished with French furniture and clocks.

The Dining room was refurbished in the 1980s and has a beautiful mahogany table in the centre. A large number of paintings adorn the walls and a display of silver plate including two samovars on a side table. There were lovely views from this room over the 200 acres of parkland bound by the River Nene.

The Hall has three libraries of which two are open to visitors. One Library was used by Lady Meredith over a 40 year period as her sitting room. The Inner Library situated in the medieval Sapcote Tower was repanelled in 1884 after a fire. The private collection totals 12,000 books, the largest in the country. Two old accounts books dating back to Elizabeth I were displayed on a table.

Our tour concluded in the Billiard room with William Morris wallpaper which is now used as a wedding venue.

After a delicious lunch at the attached Garden Centre we spent the rest of our visit in the extensive gardens, divided into rooms, which were beautifully kept. The Gothic revival orangery and garden built to celebrate the Millennium.

The other gardens of note were the flower garden with its attractive central water feature and the topiary and shrub garden.

Our tour concluded with a short visit to Peterborough Cathedral with its fine painted wooden ceiling dating back to 1250, the Hanging Crucifix above the central aisle and intricately carved wooden choir stalls. A very enjoyable day out.