Rudhall Manor Explained

Rudhall Manor
Type:House
Map Relief:yes
Coordinates:51.9257°N -2.5461°W
Location:Rudhall, Herefordshire, England
Built:14th century with later additions
Governing Body:Privately owned
Designation1:Grade I
Designation1 Offname:Rudhall Manor
Designation1 Date:25 February 1966
Designation1 Number:1099663
Designation2:Grade I
Designation2 Offname:Rudhall House (that part in Brampton Abbotts Civil Parish)
Designation2 Date:25 February 1966
Designation2 Number:1099260
Designation3:Grade II
Designation3 Offname:Cross base approximately 75m south-west of Rudhall House
Designation3 Date:17 March 1987
Designation3 Number:1296850

Rudhall Manor is a manor house in Rudhall, Herefordshire, England. It dates from the late 14th century and is a Grade I listed building.

History

The hamlet of Rudhall sits at the junction of three parishes, Brampton Abbotts, Ross-on-Wye and Weston under Penyard, about 2 miles to the east of Ross. Rudhall Manor dates from the 14th century, although the house underwent extensive remodelling in each subsequent century and was restored in the 20th. In the Tudor era the manor came into the possession of Herbert Westfaling II, son of the Bishop of Hereford, who married the Rudhall heriess. In the early 19th century, the house was reputedly used as a point of assignation by Lord Nelson and his lover, Emma Hamilton, during their tours of the Wye Valley.[1] In 1830 the manor was bought by Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton of Barings Bank. Later owners included the ornithologist Peter Scott and the businessman John Harvey-Jones.[2] As at May 2024, the manor is for sale.[3]

Architecture and description

Pevsner and Brooks describe the complex building history of the manor, which was begun in the 14th century, and developed by William Rudhall in the 16th. Later Georgian and Victorian developments saw the house extended with wings to the south and east. The interior has much wood panelling, some original and some introduced to the house, and decorative wood and stone carving. Above the entrance porch, the Rudhall badge, a Catherine Wheel, is displayed. Rudhall Manor is a Grade I listed building. Unusually, due to its location at the junction of three parishes, it has two Grade I listings, for the house in the Ross parish, and for those parts in the parish of Brampton Abbotts.

The grounds include a stream, lakes, and the base of a medieval church cross.

Sources

Notes and References

  1. News: Lord Nelson's love nest Rudhall Manor on the market for £3.25m. Jack. Blackburn. 10 May 2024. The Times. 10 May 2024.
  2. Web site: A glorious Grade-I listed country house for sale that Nelson and his mistress once used as their lovenest. Penny. Churchill. 21 June 2023. Country Life. 10 May 2024.
  3. News: Historic Herefordshire manor is up for sale. Joshua. Dyer. 18 February 2024. Hereford Times. 10 May 2024.