DISCOVER THE HISTORIC SKYLINE OF MELBOURNE HALL & GARDENS WITH DJI DRONE FOOTAGE AND NARRATION.
Nipped over to Melbourne after @JockyB John’s East Midlands Meetup.
Melbourne Hall, located in the village of Melbourne in Derbyshire, England, is a historic house with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. The hall is renowned for its beautiful gardens, which are some of the oldest surviving examples of formal gardens in England.
The site where Melbourne Hall stands was originally associated with the Bishops of Carlisle. It is believed that a residence existed on the site as early as the 12th century. The Bishops of Carlisle used the house as a retreat from their northern diocese. The original house was likely a modest structure compared to what stands today.
In the early 17th century, Melbourne Hall came into the possession of Sir John Coke, a prominent statesman who served as Secretary of State to King Charles I. Sir John Coke acquired the estate in 1628, and it was under his ownership that the hall underwent significant changes. The old medieval structure was largely demolished, and a new house was constructed in the Jacobean style.
The hall saw further renovations in the 18th century under the direction of Thomas Coke, Sir John Coke’s descendant. The most notable work from this period was the redesign of the gardens by the French landscape architect André Le Nôtre, who also designed the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Although Le Nôtre’s direct involvement is debated, the gardens reflect the formal French style associated with his work.
The gardens at Melbourne Hall are famous for their ornamental features, including the wrought iron “Birdcage” arbour designed by Robert Bakewell, one of the most skilled ironsmiths of the time. The gardens also feature formal parterres, yew hedges, statues, and water features that have been preserved and maintained over the centuries.
During the 19th century, Melbourne Hall was the home of William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and was a close confidant of Queen Victoria. It is after Viscount Melbourne that the Australian city of Melbourne was named. He was to separate from his wife, Lady Caroline Lamb, in 1825, when her liaison with Lord Byron had become notorious.
The house passed into the hands of the Cowper family when Emily Lamb, sister of the childless third and last Viscount Melbourne, married the 5th Earl Cowper. (She later married another Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston.) After the death of the 6th Earl, it was leased for twenty years to Colonel & Mrs Henry Gooch, who modernised the house and restored the church. However, it remained in the ownership of the Cowper family until Lady Amabel Cowper married Admiral of the Fleet Lord Walter Kerr who made Melbourne the family home in 1906.
In the 20th century, the hall remains the family home of Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr and the house and gardens are open to the public during the summer months.
Melbourne Hall is a blend of architectural styles, reflecting the various phases of construction and renovation it has undergone over the centuries. The current building is predominantly from the early 17th century, with later additions and modifications. The interiors of the hall feature period furniture, family portraits, and other historical artifacts that offer a glimpse into the life of the aristocracy over the centuries.
Today, Melbourne Hall is a Grade II* listed building, recognized for its historical and architectural significance. The gardens are also listed as Grade I on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The hall and gardens are open to the public at certain times of the year, allowing visitors to explore this historic estate and its beautiful surroundings.
Melbourne Hall continues to be an important part of England’s heritage, reflecting the rich history of the country and the evolution of English country houses.
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