Country Images Magazine North Edition November 2017 | Page 28

As befi ts a town where tradition still holds sway, Melbourne Hall at the
bottom of Church Street dates from Tudor times, but was refashioned
around three centuries ago. Most of the work was carried out by Francis
Smith of Warwick who added graceful new rooms, with his son, William,
completing the work in 1744. Th e work, it must be added, was a little
unusual, for the house has two frontages, one overlooking the garden and
the other, more public front, overlooking the large pond known as ‘Th e
Pool’, and therefore open to the full gaze of passing strollers. Unusual
though the design may be, nevertheless the Hall is attractive, both inside as
well as out. Outside and adorned with lead statues, fountains and an ornate
wrought-iron summerhouse, dubbed ‘Th e Birdcage’, the walled garden was
laid out by Th omas Coke, who was born at the Hall and is buried in the
chancel of the nearby parish church. He was Chamberlain to Queen Anne
and it was she who gave him the lovely ornament that stands near one of the
urns. It was made by the Dutch craft sman, John van Nost, and has carvings
representing the four seasons. On the stone pedestal is a lead vase supported
by four monkeys and crowned by a bowl of fruit and fl owers; 24 children
play around the edge of the vase.
Familiar views
Today, Melbourne Hall is the home of Lord and Lady Ralph Kerr, who open
the gardens Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from April
to September between 1:30 and 5:30pm. Th e House is open every day in
August (except the fi rst three Mondays), from 2:00 4:30pm. Pre-booked
parties by arrangement with the Administrator. Telephone [phone].
Outbuildings in the old stable yard now serve a modern purpose by being
converted to a Visitor Centre housing small specialist shops and workrooms.
Th ese range from a high class butcher, to a jewellery maker, a furniture
restorer, a wedding cake maker, antique and collectables and a picture
framer. Down a narrow passage entered by a doorway with a lintel so low it
needs a warning sign, ex-music teacher and principal viola with the D’Oyly
Carte Opera Company, Peter Rose’s ‘Christian Rose violins’, is a place where
anyone should go if they need a violin, viola, or cello – there are even violins
known as ‘16ths’, specially scaled down instruments suitable for three year-
old budding virtuosos.
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