SP2852 : Walton Hall
taken 7 years ago, near to Walton, Warwickshire, England
Today, this large former country house is a hotel, owned by the Mecure hotel group. This impressive country house was built in 1858-62 by Sir George Gilbert Scott for Sir Charles Mordaunt, 10th Baronet. The house is Grade II* listed, see: Link
During the 20th century ownership of the house changed a number of times, in 1907 it was purchased by Professor Vaughan Harley MD; he established a farm here breeding prize-winning shorthorn cattle, Oxford Downs sheep, shire horses and Large Black pigs. After his death in 1923, his widow and daughter, Diana Mary 'Dido' Harley (1906–1964) continued to live there. Dido married Brigadier Eric Greville Earle DSO (1893–1965) in 1931. Brigadier Earle was posted to Cairo at the outbreak of WWII, his wife, Diana went with him. At their return they found the rectory and Walton Hall had been occupied by some 40 members of the WRNS, engaged on the code breaking activities at Bletchley Park. Until the end of the war, when they returned to living in Walton Hall, they lived in Walton Hall Cottage. The Ministry of Defence owned the house in the mid-20th century, using it as a training camp for Army cadets. Walton Hall became a girls boarding school in 1963 until 1969. The house was then purchased by Lord Field, who restored it to a family home. The next owner was entertainer Danny LaRue who converted it to be used as a hotel. In the 1980s the hall became a timeshare property. Now the property is a hotel owned by the Mercure hotel group.