Rushden Hall Estate - Historical Notes
IT is on good authority that it was at Rushden Hall where Guy Vaux, or Fawkes, meditated his design to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
Norden tells us that there was in Rushden an ancient House of the Dukes of Lancaster, which house is supposed to have been built for John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and upon its site the present Mansion in the Elizabethan style has been erected.
The Estate has been owned by the well-known County Family of Sartoris, and A. H. Sarforis, Esq., J.P., has recently sold the Estate to the present Vendor.
Music Room
22ft. 6in. by 14ft. 10in., 14ft. 10in. by 5ft. 6in., with two bays, steel interior grate, and elegantly carved oak mantelpiece.
Dining, Room
21ft. 10in. by 16ft., with bay window. This is a finely panelled apartment with carved overmantel, and Tudor stone fire opening. BACK LOBBY with stone paved floor.
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The fireplace in the Smoke Room
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Smoke Room
15ft. by 18ft., a charming apartment panelled in oak, with beamed ceiling, bay window, and Tudor stone fire opening. Adjoining is a lavatory suite. GUN ROOM fitted with the gun cases, etc.
The Domestic Offices
provide KITCHEN, fitted SCULLERY, fitted, BUTLER'S ROOM, and PANTRY fitted with safe and cupboards, SERVANTS' HALL, BOOT ROOM, BRUSHING ROOM.
The FIRST FLOOR is approached by a fine oak staircase with oak pannelled walls, and by a stone staircase with wonderful oak baluster and newels. There are also two secondary Staircases. BEDROOM, 24ft. 6in. by 16ft. 8in., with panelled dado, DRESSING ROOM, BATHROOM, fitted with bath and basin and W.C. BEDROOM with Tudor stone fire opening with carved overmantel and Dutch tiled hearth, with dog grate. TWO BEDROOMS with Dressing Room and W.C. Best BEDROOM, 22ft. 6in. by 16ft. 6in., with bay window and marble mantelpiece. BEDROOM, 15ft. 3in. by 18ft. 3in., with bay window. BATHROOM fitted with bath and basin and W.C. LIBRARY fitted with bookshelves.
There are SEVEN SERVANTS' BEDROOMS with fitted Bathroom and Airing Room.
On the SECOND FLOOR is a BEDROOM with exposed oak timber finishing.
OUTSIDE is a Larder with stone shelves, Lumber Room, Woodhouse, W.C., Laundry, Coal House, Lamp Room, Boiler House for domestic heating.
GAS and WATER are supplied by the Town Main and the SEWAGE is also connected to the Town.
ELECTRIC LIGHT is available.
Summary of Accommodation:- 5 PUBLIC ROOMS, DOMESTIC OFFICES, 5 PRINCIPAL BEDROOMS, LIBRARY, 7 SECONDARY BEDROOMS.
The Stables and Garages
These are substantially built of stone with tiled roofs, and provide the following accommodation:-
loose Box, boiler house fitted with copper, harness room and workshop, 2 loose boxes with hay loft and two men's rooms over, stable for Two, 3 loose boxes, 2 garages. Adjoining is a brick built and slated 3-bay Car Shed.
The Grounds and Gardens
These are most attractively laid out with lawns and paths, and a fine avenue of elm trees, and include herbaceous borders, and rock garden with flagged paths. There is a
FINE WALLED GARDEN.
The walls were built about the fifteenth century, and the quaint specification was as follows:-
"Wall built entirely without mortar was performed by Contract, and the engagement entered into with the Builder was that it should be erected without lime or soft mixture of any kind, and that the stones should be made so nicely to fit as, that if even a bee could creep in between the interstices the contract should be void."
The grounds are richly timbered, and contain many fine specimen trees and shrubs.
There is also a delightful Summer House of modern construction, built of stone with tiled roof, in the garden.
The Vegetable Garden
is fully enclosed by stone walls, which are covered with choice climbing fruit trees. Adjoining the garden is the Gardener's Potting Shed and Tool House.
The Orchard adjoins the main garden, and is well stocked with fruit trees.
There are two Vineries, Peach and Tomato Houses, and brick built cold frames.
The Gardener’s Cottage
The above is a modern built Cottage with tiled roof, and contains:- On the GROUND FLOOR, 2 rooms and scullery. On the FIRST FLOOR, 3 bedrooms and bathroom.
An excellent fruit room is fitted.
Outside Coals and E.C.
Occupied by Mr. H. Pettit on a service tenancy.
This Lot is sold subject to the owner of Lots 18 and 21 having a right of road between the points marked A and B on Plan.
