Visit – Kelmarsh Hall

Visit to Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens
June 14th Coach departure at 09.15
Kelmarsh Hall and the surrounding estate were the home of the Hanbury family from 1620
to 1860s. The present hall is the work of architect James Gibbs, who designed the house in
the 1720s as a central hall with two symmetrical pavilions connected to the main hall by
corridors. The ballroom is an addition by a later owner, Richard Naylor. Subsequent owners
let the hall and by the 1920s it was in need of restoration. In 1928, Ronald and Nancy Tree
took the hall on a ten year repairing lease and extensively modernised the hall with
electricity, central heating and en-suite bathrooms. Nancy is credited with the creation of
the ‘English Country House style’ following her purchase of Colefax and Fowler in 1947 and
her subsequent business partnership with John Fowler. Nancy Tree coined the phrase
‘shabby chic’ exemplifying her styling of extravagant but comfortable interiors which are to
be seen in Kelmarsh Hall today.
Following the rebuilding of the house in the C18th, the surrounding gardens were first
developed and although extensively remodelled in the C20th, original features still remain.
A single row of beech and elm trees were planted to define the edge of the estate and the
ornamental lake to the west of the Hall was designed by William Emes, a follower of
Capability Brown, in the late 1770s. The triangular shaped Walled Garden dates from the
same period, the shape enabling it to fit into the existing planting of trees. In the late
1920s, Nancy Tree worked alongside the socialite designer Norah Lindsay to bring the ‘shabby
chic’ style of the interiors into the gardens, which they designed together. Box borders framed beds
of old roses and massed perennials. Later, Geoffrey Jellicoe designed a terrace at the back of
the house with three rows of red chestnuts framing the vistas. Inspired by gardens of the
Italian Renaissance, three formal lawns with pleached lime avenues were created.
The gardens today are registered Grade ll* by English Heritage.
There is an introductory talk to provide an overview of the history and families who lived
there, prior to a self-guided tour of the house, in the morning, and a guided tour of the
gardens in the afternoon. Lunch at your own cost will be in the café and will need to be
booked in advance, or you can bring a picnic. Due to the group size limit at Kelmarsh, places
will be allocated on a strict first come first served basis. The coach will be a 19 seater.
There is further information and a downloadable map of the gardens at www.kelmarsh.com.
Access: Ramps and lifts provide almost complete access to the Hall. The Gardens are widely
accessible by wheelchair users although many paths are gravelled.
This visit is by coach departing from Newbold Common at 09.15 to arrive at Kelmarsh at
10.30. Departure will be at 4.00pm to arrive back at Leamington for 5.30pm. There is free
parking at Newbold Common.
Ticket Price £38 for members. £40 for non-members. This includes the coach and guided tour.

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