Allerton Park is a vast Victorian gothic house, owned by the Mauleverer family since the Norman Conquest.
In 1758 the estate was sold to the 2nd son of George III, who later became known as the Grand Old Duke of York, and the hill referred to in the nursery rhyme is said to be that at Allerton.
In 1843 what had become a Georgian house was demolished and one George Martin was engaged to build the present house in a Tudor Gothic style. During the 2nd World War the house was used by the Canadian Air Force, and in 1965 the current owner; the 22nd Baron Stourton, ceased to live there and it was eventually sold to an American Businessman Gerald Rolph in 1983. The house has now been extensively restored, with its interior designed with late gothic decoration in the style of Pugin’s work on the Palace of Westminster.
The galleried Great Hall is almost 80 feet high, one of the highest baronial halls in England. The Drawing Room and Ballroom have magnificent plaster ceilings and the Dining Room is panelled and has stained glass windows showing the Mowbray and Stourton families.
A large garage in the service courtyard houses a collection of luxury veteran and vintage cars.
With its sumptuous and unique decorations and unusual gothic style this house is well worth a visit, but plan ahead as the opening times are usually limited to Sundays and Bank Holidays in the Summer. For opening times tel. 01423 330927.
Make time to stroll out of the house grounds to visit the church of St Martin in the village of Allerton Mauleverer. Although no longer regularly used it has been well-preserved and is left open for the public to explore.
In the church you can see several tomb monuments to the Mauleverer family. It was remodelled in 1745 in a Norman revival style and the mid-18th century interior remains unaltered to this day. Sit on the bench under the tree in the peaceful churchyard and wonder at the turbulent history that this now quiet place has witnessed.
