Eynsham Hall
Eynsham Hall is a Grade II listed mansion near North Leigh in Oxfordshire, England. The original house dates from the 1770s.
History
Built around the 1770s as a Georgian house, with extensive parkland. It was built for the Lacy family and sold in 1778 to Robert Langford. By 1814 it was owned by Thomas Parker and leased for hunting parties. It was enlarged, with an additional upper floor, by Charles Barryin the mid 19th century and various outbuildings added. A fourth floor was added to designs by Owen Jones in the 1870s.
The Georgian house was demolished in 1904 and rebuilt as a Jacobean style mansion in 1906–8 by Earnest George for the Mason family, who had taken up residence in 1866. The house and estate included its own electric generating station, waterworks and gas plant, and a private telephone system linked the house to various outbuildings around the estate. Previous residents include Willoughby Lacey, Robert Langford, James Duberley, Sir Thomas Parker and Sir Thomas Bazley.
During World War 2, a section of Eynsham Hall was used as a maternity ward for expectant mothers evacuated from London, and the Canadian artist Anthony J Batten was born there in 1940. Referred to as the "flak shack", the Hall was also used for rest and relaxation (R & R) by the U.S. Army Air Corp officers. The American Red Cross ran the R & R programme, and recreational activities included reading, bridge, snooker and table tennis.
The site was used as a police training centre from 1946. Currently it is under renovation and I hope that it opens up again soon.
The Gun Room won a European Hotel Design Award in 2008
In the grounds of Eynsham Hall there are earthworks of an Iron Age hill fort which is also called Green Wood fort.
I count myself very lucky to have visited Eynsham Hall several times. I have photographed weddings here, attended business conferences and I have also stayed at the Hall with my wife. It was here that I was introduced to Black Magic Rum - if you havnt’t tried it you are missing out!
Please have a look through this selection of images that are only just a few of what were taken on the day, hopefully you have a nice drop of something refreshing whilst you peruse.
Enjoy!
An iconic image taken on the famous driveway of Eynsham Hall Hotel.
