Strelley Hall

06/09/2026

The Gardener at Strelley Hall in the 1930's
Here is a picture of Albert Papworth. He is believed to have been a gardener at Strelley Hall in the 1930's, when we think this photo was taken.
The owner of the photgraph, Stephen, is keen to know if anyone can shed any light on the where and when the photograph was taken and any other information you can share.
We think it may have been taken in the old walled garden next to Gardeners Cottage (which is now Strelley Lodge and a private residence, adjacent, but separate to the Hall).
We think the high wall in the background of the photo could be the top boundary wall of what is now the Dog Exercise fields at Strelley Hall.
Who knows?
Do you have any information relating to Albert, we would love to hear from you.
Please share.
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06/09/2026

If you fancy an afternoon of fabulous classical music in lovely surroundings, then we have a few tickets left for our Proms on the Lawn at Strelley Hall this afternoon Sunday 6th September. 🎵 🌳
Tickets are £10 on the door, event is open from 2.30pm for a 3pm start.
We have a bar, and are selling takeaway cream teas and other goodies.

03/09/2026

STRELLEY 1830
Take a look at this.
This map hangs outside the Castle Room at Strelley Hall and was created by Ron Clarkson, who lived in Strelley Village. It provides a fascinating glimpse of what the Strelley Hall estate and surrounding area may have looked like around 1830, almost 200 years ago.
At first glance it looks very different from the area as we know today. But look a little closer and you'll start to recognise some familiar features.
Strelley Hall along with the village, roads, woodland, ponds and fields can be seen.
Did you know about the old pathway to the east of the Hall - running from the Hall to what is now the junction with the A6002 road? This is now only visible after prolonged periods of drought!
Have a look around the map and see what you can recognise.
If you know the area today, we'd love to know what catches your eye on the 1830 map — and if you recognise an old place name, tell us about it in the comments.
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02/09/2026

Well looks like we’ve got the weather we ordered for our Proms on the Lawn event at Strelley Hall on Sunday 6th! 😎 3pm to 5pm, doors open at 2pm, bring a chair or picnic rug.
Here’s the link to book your tickets, we have a bar open from 2pm and takeaway cream teas for sale
https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on?q=Strelley+Hall+Proms

31/08/2026

WHEN STRELLEY HALL FEATURED ON NATIONAL TV

In 2022, Strelley became the focus of a national archaeology programme on Channel 4.
Strelley Hall was the setting for an episode of The Great British Dig programme, when the team led by Hugh Dennis explored the site to uncover the remains of an old medieval castle under the Georgian stately home.
The archaeologists, assisted by a team of local volunteers, dug three trenches in the car park and gardens of the Strelley Hall. They found the old castle walls buried in the ground, plus several artefacts which enabled them to deduce a surprisingly detailed picture of what the medieval building would have looked like. No skeletons but some other fascinating finds including interesting animal bones and oyster shells to help us understand what the castle’s residents would have dined on, and medieval artefacts, including a jester’s bell, from the Great Hall of the castle.
Did you see the episode when it aired?

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31/08/2026

Lots of delicious cakes and ice creams to choose from today 🥰🧁🍦

Bank Holiday time at the Mulberry Tree Cafe 😀
We’re open 9.30-4pm on Bank Holiday Monday, lunch served until 3pm

29/08/2026

A GLIMPSE OF MISS EDGE'S MOTHER
There are still quite a few people who remember Miss Edge, and some who actually met her when she was living at Strelley Hall.
But how many people know what her mother looked like?
Here is a photograph of Miss Edge's mother in the garden at Strelley Hall.
We don't know about the occasion when this photograph was taken, but there's something rather lovely about seeing her enjoying the gardens of the Hall.
Photographs like this bring another generation of Strelley's history to life. The Hall wasn't simply a historic building it was a home, and generations of the Edge family lived their lives here.
For those who remember Miss Edge, this photograph offers a glimpse of the generation that came before her.
And for those who never had the opportunity to meet her, it is another small piece of the story of the people who called Strelley Hall home.
Do you remember Miss Edge?
Perhaps your parents or grandparents knew her, worked at the Hall or have stories about the Edge family.
If you have a memory, photograph or family story connected to Strelley Hall, we'd love to hear from you.
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26/08/2026

UPCOMING EVENTS at Strelley Hall this Autumn 🍂
Sunday 6th September 3pm-5pm: Proms on the Lawn
https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on?q=Strelley+Hall
Saturday 12th September 10am-3pm: Heritage Makers Market FREE ENTRY, FREE PARKING
Saturday 12th September 1pm: Tour of Strelley Hall with cream tea £16, call 01159061200 or email [email protected] to book
Thursday 17th September: Afternoon Teas at Strelley Hall, visit https://www.strelley.com/afternoonteas to book
COMING LATER IN THE YEAR:
Carols in the Courtyard on Thursday 10th December,
Festive Afternoon Teas from 28th November..plus Mulberry Tree Cafe open every day, Mulberry Tree Bakehouse open Thursday through to Sunday 😀

25/08/2026

THE DUNGEON AT STRELLEY HALL
Here is a picture of the dungeon at Strelley Hall, taken from inside the dungeon looking up towards the steps.
The dungeon dates back to medieval times and was probably originally built as a cellar, forming part of the medieval fortified manor house.
But its use changed over the centuries and the space was later used to imprison poachers caught on the Strelley Estate, even as late as the 20th century.
Looking at the photograph, it's not difficult to imagine why this would have made an effective place to hold someone.
What started life as a medieval cellar ended up with a very different purpose centuries later.
What do you think it would have been like to be locked in here?
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22/08/2026

THE CASTLE ROOM
The Black Death reached Strelley in 1348 and is believed to have killed more than 200 of the village's population of around 300.
Sir Sampson de Strelley was one of those who survived. In gratitude for his survival, he built All Saints' Church in Strelley during the 1350s.
Around the same period, work was carried out at Strelley Hall to create a substantial fortified manor house.
At least three rooms from this medieval manor house survive within the Hall today.
This is one of them, the Castle Room.
And this room has some fascinating stories to tell.
The walls are more than a metre thick, and the ceiling is vaulted, like the cellar directly below. The panelling is believed to date from the Commonwealth period, although the room has been altered and added to many times over the centuries.
Then there's the fireplace.
At first glance, it looks relatively straightforward. The grey surround is Victorian, medieval tiles have been incorporated into it and the shape and decoration of the fire grate appear to be Georgian.
But the iron grate bears the date 1600. And that's where the mystery begins.
The fireplace doesn't look anything like a fireplace from 1600. The Georgian elements suggest a much later date, and there doesn't appear to be any obvious reason why 1600 would have been chosen as a significant date for Strelley Hall.
So why is 1600 cast into the iron? We don't have the answer.
And then there are the doors.
One of the cupboard doors in the Castle Room was made by reusing an old shutter, with pieces of timber added around it to make it fit. Even the main door into the Castle Room appears to have been constructed from several older pieces, including two old shutters.
Why would a wealthy household reuse old timber in this way?
Perhaps the answer lies in the history of the room itself. Or perhaps the people who lived here simply saw no reason to throw away something that could still be put to good use.
That's the fascination of old buildings. They don't always give up their secrets easily.
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