Doddington Hall was built in 1600 by the Elizabethan architect Robert Smithson for Thomas Tailor.
The splendid mansion stands today with its contemporary gatehouse and walled garden.
The house has never been sold but has passed through four families by marriage - the Tailors, the Husseys, the Delavels and lastly the Jarvises who still live there today.
The house retains its Elizabethan exterior but the interior has an Georgian elegance.
The White Hall was the original Great Hall and is used still as a dining room on special occasions. The walls are hung with family portraits of the Hussey and Delavel families.
The Drawing Room, which is 52 feet in length, appears today as it did in the 18th century and is decorated with gilt mirror frames and gilt 'carton pierre' ornaments purchased by John Delavel in 1775.
The Long Gallery was used for exercise and recreation in Elizabethan times but in the 1760s John Delavel turned the room into a picture gallery. Sir Joshua Reynolds was a family friend and a full length portrait of Sir Francis Delavel painted by Reynolds hangs at the foot of the front stairs.
The Print Room commemorates the life of George Ralph Payne Jarvis who was a solicitor by profession and also an artist and expert woodcarver.
The Parlour has oak panelled walls in the original Queen Anne style and is hung with family portraits. The Tiger Room has a splendid four-poster bed with crimson silk hangings and walls are decorated by Flemish tapestries.
Displayed around the house is a fine collection of furniture, textiles, paintings and porcelain collected by the families over the past 400 years.
Doddington Hall is surrounded by extensive parkland.
The gardens have borders providing colour throughout the seasons and a wonderful layout of box-edged parterres. A wild garden set among mature trees has a glorious succession of spring bulbs and flowering shrubs. There is also a nature trail into the local countryside.
Doddington Hall Opening Times2008:17th Feb-Apr: Sun and Easter Mon 13:00-17:00; 4 May-Sept: Wed, Sun & Bank Holiday Mon 13:00-17:00 (Gardens open 12:00). Last entry 16:30 In Oct, Gardens (only) open Sun 13:00-17:00. Group tours welcome at other times - contact to arrange.
Tel: 01522 694 308 Doddington Hall Website
