Brocket Hall
Encyclopedia
Brocket Hall is a country house in Hertfordshire
, England
, 22 miles (35.4 km) from London
by road. It was built for Sir Matthew Lamb, 1st Baronet
, in around 1760 to designs by the architect James Paine. It stands on the site of two predecessors, the first of which was built in 1239 and the second in about 1430. It is a tall red brick neoclassical house in a fine landscape setting with a Palladian bridge. The main staircase is probably the finest of the interiors. A ceiling was painted by Francis Wheatley
. The latter was home to Sir John Brocket a wealthy spice importer and Captain of Queen Elizabeth’s personal guard. The present house is a tall red brick neoclassical house in a fine landscape setting with a Palladian bridge. The interior of the house is not on a grand scale but the exceptions are the main staircase and the Grand Saloon that was decorated specifically for entertaining royalty. The walls are lined with silk, the original furniture was made by Chippendale, the ceiling was painted by Francis Wheatley and the state banqueting table seats eighty people. The cost of this one room is recorded as £1,500 which equated to more than the cost of a substantial manor house at the time. Sir Matthew's son became the first Lord Melbourne and he was often visited at Brocket Hall by the Prince Regent, who had a liaison with Lady Melbourne
. The next owner was William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1835-1841. His wife, Caroline, had an affair with Lord Byron causing Lord Melbourne much embarrassment and on one of his birthdays she arranged, at a state banquet in the Saloon, for a surprise course to be served from a large silver dish and when the lid was raised it revealed her completely naked. On his death, the house passed to his sister, who was to marry Lord Palmerston who also became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and who died at Brocket while still in office, reputedly on the billiards table whilst in the embrace of a chambermaid (his nickname was ‘Cupid’). Queen Victoria was another frequent visitor to Brocket.
In 1923 the estate was purchased by Sir Charles Nall-Cain; he was created Baron Brocket
in 1933. It was a maternity hospital
during World War II
.
In the late 20th century Charles Nall-Cain, 3rd Baron Brocket
, during his time in prison for insurance fraud
, sold his estate on a 60 year leasehold to CCA (Club Corporation of Asia) based in Hong Kong. The company converted Brocket Hall into a hotel and conference centre and built a second eighteen hole golf course (Palmerston Course). Further facilities include a Faldo
Golf Institute, and a restaurant called Auberge du Lac which was formerly associated with celebrity chef
Jean-Christophe Novelli
and currently has a Michelin Star.
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, 22 miles (35.4 km) from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
by road. It was built for Sir Matthew Lamb, 1st Baronet
Sir Matthew Lamb, 1st Baronet
Sir Matthew Lamb, 1st Baronet was a British barrister and politician. He was the grandfather of Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne....
, in around 1760 to designs by the architect James Paine. It stands on the site of two predecessors, the first of which was built in 1239 and the second in about 1430. It is a tall red brick neoclassical house in a fine landscape setting with a Palladian bridge. The main staircase is probably the finest of the interiors. A ceiling was painted by Francis Wheatley
Francis Wheatley (painter)
Francis Wheatley was an English portrait and landscape painter.-Life and work:Wheatley was born at Wild Court, Covent Garden, London, the son of a master tailor. He studied at William Shipley's drawing school and the Royal Academy, and won several prizes from the Society of Arts...
. The latter was home to Sir John Brocket a wealthy spice importer and Captain of Queen Elizabeth’s personal guard. The present house is a tall red brick neoclassical house in a fine landscape setting with a Palladian bridge. The interior of the house is not on a grand scale but the exceptions are the main staircase and the Grand Saloon that was decorated specifically for entertaining royalty. The walls are lined with silk, the original furniture was made by Chippendale, the ceiling was painted by Francis Wheatley and the state banqueting table seats eighty people. The cost of this one room is recorded as £1,500 which equated to more than the cost of a substantial manor house at the time. Sir Matthew's son became the first Lord Melbourne and he was often visited at Brocket Hall by the Prince Regent, who had a liaison with Lady Melbourne
Elizabeth Lamb, Viscountess Melbourne
Elizabeth Lamb, Viscountess Melbourne was an English political hostess and the wife of Whig politician Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne. She was the mother of William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne who became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom...
. The next owner was William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1835-1841. His wife, Caroline, had an affair with Lord Byron causing Lord Melbourne much embarrassment and on one of his birthdays she arranged, at a state banquet in the Saloon, for a surprise course to be served from a large silver dish and when the lid was raised it revealed her completely naked. On his death, the house passed to his sister, who was to marry Lord Palmerston who also became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and who died at Brocket while still in office, reputedly on the billiards table whilst in the embrace of a chambermaid (his nickname was ‘Cupid’). Queen Victoria was another frequent visitor to Brocket.
In 1923 the estate was purchased by Sir Charles Nall-Cain; he was created Baron Brocket
Baron Brocket
Baron Brocket, of Brocket Hall in the County of Hertford, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1933 for the businessman Sir Charles Nall-Cain, 1st Baronet. He was Chairman of the brewing firm of Robert Cain & Sons , which had been founded by his father Robert Cain...
in 1933. It was a maternity hospital
Maternity hospital
A maternity hospital is a hospital that specializes in caring for women while they are pregnant and during childbirth. The hospital also provides care for newborn infants....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In the late 20th century Charles Nall-Cain, 3rd Baron Brocket
Charles Nall-Cain, 3rd Baron Brocket
Charles Ronald George Nall-Cain, 3rd Baron Brocket , also known as Charlie Brocket, is a peer, former prisoner and television presenter in the United Kingdom....
, during his time in prison for insurance fraud
Insurance fraud
Insurance fraud is any act committed with the intent to fraudulently obtain payment from an insurer.Insurance fraud has existed ever since the beginning of insurance as a commercial enterprise. Fraudulent claims account for a significant portion of all claims received by insurers, and cost billions...
, sold his estate on a 60 year leasehold to CCA (Club Corporation of Asia) based in Hong Kong. The company converted Brocket Hall into a hotel and conference centre and built a second eighteen hole golf course (Palmerston Course). Further facilities include a Faldo
Nick Faldo
Sir Nicholas Alexander "Nick" Faldo, MBE is an English professional golfer on the European Tour who now mainly works as an on air golf analyst. Over his career, he has won six majors: three Open Championships and three Masters. He was ranked the World No...
Golf Institute, and a restaurant called Auberge du Lac which was formerly associated with celebrity chef
Celebrity chef
A celebrity chef is a kitchen chef who has become famous and well known. Today celebrity chefs often become celebrities by presenting cookery advice and demonstrations via mass media, especially television. Historically, celebrity chefs have included Antoine Carême and Martino da Como.-External...
Jean-Christophe Novelli
Jean-Christophe Novelli
-Life:Born in Arras, Northern France, in 1961, in a family with Italian roots, Jean-Christophe Novelli left school at age 14 and worked in a bakery before, at the age of 20, becoming a personal chef to the Rothschild family....
and currently has a Michelin Star.