Gunby Hall was built in 1700 for Sir William Massingberd.
It is built of plum coloured brick with stone dressings and is an elegant rectangle with a flat roofline. A broad flight of stairs rises to the pedimented front door.
In design, it is really a town house more suited to a London square than its position deep in the Lincolnshire countryside.
The architect is unknown but it is assumed that it was a builder or mason who had studied the work of Sir Christopher Wren.
In 1873 a north wing was added to improve internal arrangements. This includes a drawing room which successfully follows the style of the earlier rooms.
The Massingberd family rose from the ranks of yeomanry during the Middle Ages to a baronetcy by the time of Sir Henry Massingberd who bought the small manor house at Gunby in 1640.
The last baronet died only 20 years after Gunby Hall was built and the property and the name descended through the female line.
In 1944 Gunby Hall was given to the National Trust by the Massingberd family.
The warm panelled rooms of the house contain fine furniture, pictures and china which have been in the family for many generations. The paintings include a portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds of Bennet Langton, whose son Peregrine married the heiress to the estate in 1784.
Bennet Langton was a lifelong friend of Dr Johnson and a rare autographed copy of the first edition of Boswell's biography, 'Life of Johnson', is found at Gunby Hall.
The most admired internal feature is the elaborate staircase constructed entirely from oak.
Also in the house is an exhibition of Field Marshall Montgomery- Massingberd's memorabilia.
Gunby Hall is reputedly Tennyson's 'haunt of ancient peace' and a there is a copy of the verse at the house, written in his own hand, signed and dated 1849.
The extensive gardens surrounding the house are charmingly informal.
The layout dates largely from the turn of the century. There are sweeping lawns and borders. The walled garden to the north of the house is planted with traditional English vegetables, fruit and flowers with espaliered apples and pears, a dovecot that predates the house and a rose covered pergola. The contemporary stable block is also of interest.
2008:House: 4 Jun-27 Aug:14:00-17:00 Wed; Garden only: 2 Apr-28 May: 14:00-17:00 Wed, 3 Jun-28 Aug:14:00-17:00 Tue-Thur; 3 Sep-25 Sep: 14:00-17:00 Wed-Thur. Garden also open Tue & Thur in Apr-May by written appointment.
Tel: 07870 758876 Gunby Hall Website
