What’s the story? | Elton Hall

The State Drawing Room

[prev] …is in the style of a French chateau and dates from 1860. Most of the paintings are of the Proby family by Sir Joshua Reynolds. There is a table which is an exact replica of one used by Marie Antonette which can be seen at Versailles Palace. Of special interest is a Louis XVI gilt-framed tapestry suite and a pair of Japanese lacquer cabinets designed by the eccentric 18th century collector William Beckford. The cabinets alone cost £3,000 in the 1700s!

The library contains the personal prayer book of King Henry VIII, which includes his handwritten notes

The library contains an impressive array of important manuscripts and books totalling over 12,000 and comprises the personal prayer book of King Henry VIII which includes his handwritten notes against the typescript, as well as the handwritten notes of Catherine Parr, and Henry VIII’s children Princess (afterwards Queen) Mary and Edward VI. It is said that the library at Elton Hall contains one of the largest and most important privately owned collections in Britain. Also of note in the library is a fine Boulle bracket clock on the mantelpiece.

The inner library which can be reached from a short passage from the main library contains Sir Thomas Proby’s account book and the list of salaries of the Court of Queen Elizabeth I.

It is said that Robert Sapcote, whose family originally inhabited the building, now haunts the garden spinney

Another attraction of Elton Hall is its collection of artwork which contains works dating back to the 15th century as well as Pre-Raphaelite paintings from 1848. Located in the old kitchens area you can also see the State Coach used by the Carysforts to attend the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria in 1897.

It is said that Robert Sapcote, whose family originally inhabited the building, now haunts the garden spinney. His ghostly appearance goes back to a time when he was a heavy gambler and having invited guests to his home and losing large sums of money playing card games, decided to rob them of their winnings by disguising himself as a highwayman.

Today, Sir William and Lady Proby and their two daughters Alexandra (b.1980) and Alice (b.1982) welcome visitors to the hall from far and wide

Visitors to Elton Hall can also soak up the wonderful gardens, especially the walled Rose Garden which contains many of the old fashioned traditional varieties. The rose garden was replanted by designer Peter Beales in 1983.

Today, Sir William and Lady Proby and their two daughters Alexandra (b.1980) and Alice (b.1982) welcome visitors to the hall from far and wide, to soak up the ambience of their wonderful historic home.

It is interesting to note that Sir William Proby became Chairman of MGM Advantage, who specialise in retirement income in December 2013. He has always had a strong connection in the city – having worked as a chartered accountant for Price Waterhouse and then Morgan Grenfell. He is passionate about the nation’s heritage and was Chair of The National Trust for five years until 2008. Sir William remains a Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery and a Trustee of the Howard de Walden Estates – the estate owns, manages and leases most of the 92 acres of property within Marylebone, London. The area includes a retail community of luxury shops, pubs, hotels, and eateries retailing out of some of the very best examples of Georgian edifices in London. The Howard de Walden Estates has a large number of properties to let including buildings in and around Harley Street. What is clear is that Sir William is not about to retire anytime soon.

June and Vernon Bull are authors of Peterborough Then & Now in colour, published price £14.99, published by the History Press. It is available in all local bookshops and online.