Hall Place is a Tudor-style home in London, built in 1537 by Sir John Champneys. It was later owned by Sir Robert Austen, Lady Limerick, and the Bexley Heritage Trust. Visitors can tour the house, gardens, and museum exhibits. The property features topiary sculptures, a Jacobean-style barn, and a restaurant. Admission is free, but guided tours require a fee. Ghost tours are also available.
Hall Place is a historic English home that features Tudor-inspired architectural design. Located along the bank of the River Cray in Bexley, London, Hall Place is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors to the property can tour the house and surrounding gardens or visit exhibits in a museum located in the house. Hall Place is owned and managed by the Bexley Heritage Trust and is listed on the English Heritage Register.
In 1537, the English businessman Sir John Champneys financed the building of Hall Place as a family residence. The building features a Tudor style design which was common at the time and was constructed of natural stone. By the mid-17th century, ownership of Hall Place had passed to Sir Robert Austen. During her time as owner, Austen oversaw a large addition to the property. This addition was built using brick, rather than the original stone, giving the building a two-tone look.
The Austens did not stay in Hall Place for long and throughout the 18th century the property served as a school. In the 18th it was bought by Lady Limerick, who entertained many members of the royal family in the house. During World War II, British and American troops used the house for meetings and storage, and it was converted into a school after the war. By 1943, the house was owned by the Bexley Heritage Trust and had opened for public visits. The Trust oversaw a major renovation from 1952 to 2007, restoring Hall Place to its former Tudor splendour.
Visitors to Hall Place can tour the well-preserved Great Hall or view the fine wooden parquet floors and plasterwork throughout the house. Hall Place Gardens are also a major attraction. Guests flock to the ‘Queen Beasts’ topiary sculptures, commissioned by Lady Limerick. These figures feature designs based on mythical creatures and animals and can be found near an array of topiary chess pieces on the lawn. Visitors can also visit a Jacobean-style barn and a modern range of glasshouses which are home to a variety of plant species.
Hall Place is open to visitors year-round and admission is free. Those wishing to participate in a guided tour are required to pay a small fee. In the gardens, visitors can buy plants and aromatic herbs grown on the property, or dine in a restaurant housed in a historic structure on the property. Many guests take part in ghost tours, hoping to catch a glimpse of a former mistress and a past maid, who are said to haunt the property.
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