Wallsworth Hall

Wallsworth Hall is a historic country house in the parish of Sandhurst, just north of Gloucester in Gloucestershire, England. It is a Grade II* listed building, a category reserved for particularly important buildings of more than special interest. The house sits in the countryside of the Severn Vale, within reach of Tewkesbury.

How did Wallsworth Hall come to be built?

The present house went up soon after 1740, replacing an earlier Tudor timber-framed house on the site. Its builder was Samuel Hayward, a local businessman, landowner and magistrate. Tradition holds that he built it as a wedding gift for his wife, Catherine. It is a Georgian country house of the kind raised by prosperous landowners across England during the eighteenth century.

What stands out inside?

The staircase, dated to about 1753, is the highlight. Its carved "barley sugar" balusters and handrails are made of mahogany.

Who lived here in the nineteenth century?

After Hayward's son died young, the property passed to the family of his son-in-law. The de Winton family lived at Wallsworth Hall from 1803 to 1903, and a Victorian gazetteer entry for Sandhurst names Captain De Winton as the owner of the seat. The house took on much of its present, larger shape during this era.

How was the building altered?

In 1865 a top floor, a new roof and two extensions were added, along with an off-centre clock tower. This Victorian work gives the hall its distinctive silhouette and sets it apart from more symmetrical Georgian houses.

What happened in the twentieth century?

In 1903 the whole estate, covering 655 acres, was broken up and offered for sale. After 1943 the property was sold off, and the hall was used as a residential nursery and as a training centre for nursery nurses. From 1953 the house stood empty for much of the time, until it was bought again in 1987.

Where is Wallsworth Hall?

The hall lies in the village of Sandhurst, close to Gloucester and not far from Tewkesbury, a town known for its abbey and medieval streets. Its coordinates are approximately 51.905 N, 2.232 W. The surroundings are quiet farmland typical of western England, which makes the hall easy to combine with a visit to nearby towns.

Frequently asked questions

Is Wallsworth Hall a listed building? Yes, it is Grade II* listed, a status given to buildings of particular architectural or historic importance.

Who built Wallsworth Hall? Samuel Hayward, a local businessman, landowner and magistrate, soon after 1740.

What is the clock tower at Wallsworth Hall? It is an off-centre addition from 1865, built during the Victorian enlargement of the house.

Where is Wallsworth Hall? In the parish of Sandhurst, near Gloucester and Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire.

Can visitors go inside? Check current access arrangements before visiting, as the building has a history of private and institutional use.