ASHLEY HALL by Grant Bocking

The Carriageway

The Hall is approached by a long Carriageway, much of which is shaded by noble trees. The drive is designed to give occasional glimpses of the house as it winds its way across the park.

The West Front

The West Front is mostly eighteenth century, with some more modern additions. The symmetrical façade is divided into three bays by four wide columns, sculptured in relief, the central two of which support the triangular pediment set above the main door.

The West Front was built under the supervision of the then owner - Adam Ashley - whose monogram liberally decorates the otherwise plain brickwork between the stately windows.

Fountains and Statues

The formal gardens include several Fountains, which feed the ponds, dappling the surface of the water and gently distorting the reflections they capture. Throughout the gardens are classical Statues, like antique dancers frozen in time.

The Gallery

The Long Gallery is set aside as a Picture Gallery. There are six noteworthy pictures:

I. The Fourth Lord Ashley (1504-62) is shown standing in front of the original Hall, which was later to become the South Wing of the redesigned building. Included in the painting is a lute, which presumably he played.

II. The Three Elder Sons of the Eighth Lord Ashley (1632-79) were home briefly from their boarding school in London when the portrait was begun in 1665, but they and seven of their contemporaries at the school died of the plague a few weeks later. The portrait was never finished.

III. The Eldest Son of Adam Ashley (1727-1803) was painted on his return from the Grand Tour in 1780, after visiting Paris, Vienna and Prague.

IV. Henrietta, the great-aunt of the current owner, was painted in 1897. Then just seventeen she is seen on a swing in the grounds of the Hall, in a long white dress with a wide-brimmed hat and holding an elegant parasol.

V. Henrietta's youngest brother, Tom, is shown here in a pencil sketch from 1917. Dressed in uniform he was just about to return from his week's leave (of which he had spent two days partying with friends in London.) He was killed in action three days after returning to his regiment.

VI. Patrick Ashley, the present owner of the House, had considerable success as a musician in the 60's, working for some time with a pop group in Liverpool. He later became a merchant banker in London.

It is worth noting how certain facial characteristics are discernible in all these members of the family, across four and a half centuries.