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Kelmarsh Hall

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

A lovely 18th century stately home, built by James Gibbs for William Hanbury. Hanbury was an antiquarian of some reputation, when he came into money by marrying the niece of Viscount Bateman. Hanbury hired Gibb to create a classical mansion in Palladian style, replacing a more modest Jacobean house on the site. Gibb worked closely with Francis Smith of Warwick (see Sutton Scarsdale Hall and Gainsborough All Saints church) to create the result you see today; a lovely house composed of a large central block and two wings. The house is set in a mix of parkland and formal gardens on the border between Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.

The estate passed through several hands before it was acquired by the Lancaster family in 1902. It is to Nancy Lancaster, niece of Nancy Astor, that Kelmarsh owes much of its interior design. Lancaster was a partner is the Colefax and Fowler decorating business, and was responsible for popularizing the style we might now call the English country house look. She used her expertise  to create an interior design based on 'shabby chic', a sort of informal pastiche of period and modern furnishings.

In recent years Kelmarsh has become known as the site for English Heritage's annual summer Festival of History event, hosting displays of historical re-enactments, jousting, historic costumes, and educational displays aimed at getting young and old visitors interested in Britain's past.

The gardens are a mostly modern design, influenced again by Nancy Lancaster, ably aided by famed gardener Norah Lindsay and noted landscape architect Geoffrey Jellicoe.
Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire, England, NN6 9LT

About Kelmarsh Hall
Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: Between Market Harborough and Northampton, off the A508. Discounted entry for English Heritage members.
Website: Kelmarsh Hall
Email: enquiries@kelmarsh.com
Phone: 44 (0) 1604 686 543
Location map
OS SP750794
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Lamport Hall - 3.1 miles (Historic House) Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens - 4.2 miles (Historic House) Rushton Triangular Lodge - 5.5 miles (Historic Property) Coton Lodge - 6.5 miles (Garden) Holdenby House Gardens - 7.9 miles (Garden) Haddonstone Show Gardens - 8.7 miles (Garden) Geddington Eleanor Cross - 9.2 miles (Historic Property) Boughton House - 9.4 miles (Historic House)

Nearest Towns and Villages Naseby - 3.9 miles away Odell - 18.9 miles away Turvey - 20.4 miles away Kimbolton - 22.8 miles away Oakley - 22.8 miles away Stamford - 24.2 miles away Bedford - 26.1 miles away Kempston - 26.4 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Kelmarsh Hall

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Elms Farm Lodge - 10.6 miles from Kelmarsh Hall Fleckney, Leicestershire Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £260

Elms Farm Cottage - 10.6 miles from Kelmarsh Hall Fleckney, Leicestershire Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £180

The Saddlery - 16.3 miles from Kelmarsh Hall Willoughby, Warwickshire Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £370

More Self Catering near Kelmarsh Hall

Nearest Hotels

The Stags Head Public House - 1.5 miles from Kelmarsh Hall Maidwell, Northamptonshire Stay from: £37.50

The Red Lion Hotel - 4.2 miles from Kelmarsh Hall Rothwell, Rutland Stay from: £35.00

The Rothwell House Hotel - 4.2 miles from Kelmarsh Hall Rothwell, Northamptonshire Stay from: £50.00

More Hotels near Kelmarsh Hall

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Coton Lodge - 7.3 miles from Kelmarsh Hall Guilsborough, Northamptonshire From: £110.00

The Raven Hotel - 10.8 miles from Kelmarsh Hall Corby, Northamptonshire From: £35.00

The Olde Coach House - 13.3 miles from Kelmarsh Hall Ashby, Northamptonshire From: £65.00

More bed and breakfasts near Kelmarsh Hall

Market Harborough
Tourist Information Centre
Council Offices
Adam and Eve Street
Market Harborough
Leicestershire
England
LE16 7AG
Tel: 01858 828 282
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