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Copped Hall

A chance to see restoration in progress: Palladian mansion of 1753-8, burnt in 1917, asset stripped in 1950 but saved by Copped Hall Trust in 1995. Both hall and gardens are being rescued from extreme dereliction. Visit all parts – including 18th century gardens, the mansion, vaulted cellars and stables.

The Abbots of Waltham lived at Copped Hall from 1350. Henry VIII took the building from them and his daughter Mary Tudor lived there before she became queen. Her sister, Elizabeth I, gave the estate to Sir Thomas Hennage. Shakespeare's 'A Mid Summer Nights Dream' was first performed there in 1594. The estate later passed to the Sackvilles who sold the estate in 1701. Many items of furniture that was at Copped Hall can be seen at Knole.

The present house was built on a different site to the south east. The mansion was altered in 1775 and in 1895. It was burnt in 1917 and assett stripped in 1950. The mansion and gardens were saved from massive development schemes in 1995 by the purchase of the freehold by the specailly formed Copped Hall Trust.

All the gardens can be visited - including a large rock garden and a 450 foot long herbaceous border. Parts of the mansion can be visited including a vaulted kitcten and cellars - together with grand stables.

Tour approx 2½ hours, £15 including tea or coffee with home-made cakes and biscuits.

www.coppedhalltrust.org.uk

To book, call the Mercury Theatre on 01206 573948
or book on-line at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk. 

Other nearby properties:

1.   The Eye, Coggeshall
20. Great Lodge Vineyard

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