A Pre-Christmas Visit to Stanford Hall, Leicestershire

A group of about 30 members took up the invitation to enjoy a visit to Stanford Hall on 17 December 2025 for a tour of the hall and a Festive Afternoon Tea. We were greeted by the owners Nick and Lucy Fothergill and given an amusing introductory talk about the family’s history and how they came to be at Stanford Hall, which was built in 1697 to replace the old manor in Stanford which they  had previously occupied.

Two guides then escorted us on a tour of the Hall, described by Simon Jenkins in Britain’s 1000 Best Houses, as "the perfect William and Mary House" and still very much a family home.

Our tour was rounded off with an excellent home-made Festive afternoon tea and mulled wine served in the ballroom. A very special way to start the run-up to Christmas.

The website  https://stanfordhall.co.uk/ provides more information

Stanford Hall is Grade 1 listed, built in 1697 in the reign of William & Mary and situated between the borders of the counties of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire in the heart of England. The Hall is surrounded by 700 acres of private park and woodland. The Cave family, direct ancestors of Nick and Lucy Fothergill the current owners, have been the custodians of the land for over 590 years, since 1430 and linked to the Braye peerage since 1839.