Sue Smith O.
Google
A Visit to Bramall Hall
After a long crawl on the motorway, delayed by an accident, we finally arrived at Bramall Hall, a magnificent black-and-white timber-framed Tudor manor set within 70 acres of sweeping parkland. Once we’d paid the small parking fee, we made our way to the lovely café for a restorative cup of tea and a snack before stepping back in time. Much of the building is covered in scaffolding due to building work, but this does not deter from the great experience once inside.
Bramall has a long and fascinating history, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 when the Saxon owners, Brin and Hacum, were displaced by Norman overlords. Over the centuries, it passed through the Bromale family and later into the hands of the Davenports around 1400, who left an indelible mark on the estate.
Inside the house, every room whispered stories of the families who lived there. In the Solar, much of the original wall painting is currently protected during building work, but one tantalising section remains visible. A digital screen nearby allows visitors to imagine the room as it once was, with richly decorated walls and full of colour.
The Neville Room offered another glimpse into the past, with a surviving section of wattle-and-daub wall, hundreds of years old. The real highlight here, though, is a breathtaking Gothic-style credenza, designed by A.W.N. Pugin and crafted by J.G. Crace; a masterpiece of craftsmanship that immediately draws the eye.
Upstairs, the Paradise Bedroom revealed more secrets. This was the chamber of Dorothy Davenport, who lived here until her death in 1639 at the age of 77. Beside the fireplace, a hidden priest hole, a reminder of the dangerous religious tensions of the time.
The Withdrawing Room was equally impressive, with a striking lime-plaster ceiling and a grand cabinet of unknown origins, but dating from the 17th or 18th century. A short film revealed the painstaking restoration of the ceiling, which is now the room’s crowning glory.
Climbing further, we reached Mary Neville’s boudoir, a private retreat filled with quiet charm, the kind of room where one could easily imagine passing long afternoons with books or embroidery. The Davenport Bedroom followed, complete with its own dressing room and washroom, offering a glimpse into the private world of the family.
The tour finished in the servants’ quarters, beautifully presented and full of period detail. The kitchen, with its heavy range, stirred particular memories for Tim, it was identical to the one in his childhood home in the old coal board workers’ houses of the northeast.
Our Historic Houses membership gave us free entry, but we were struck by the affordability of Bramall Hall at just £6.50 (or £5 for over-60s). It’s the best value of any historic house we’ve visited, especially given the richness of the experience. Before leaving, we gladly added a donation to the collection box, a small token of thanks for such a memorable day.
