Historic Brockfield Hall, once a grand Regency mansion in Yorkshire, now serving as a contemporary family dwelling.

Historic Brockfield Hall, once a grand Regency mansion in Yorkshire, now serving as a contemporary family dwelling.

Nestled just east of York, Brockfield Hall is an elegant late Georgian house that boasts a rich history and classical charm. The residence, often associated with the works of architect Peter Atkinson, blends elements popular in the Greek Revival taste.

Peter Atkinson, a notable figure in early 19th-century British architecture, designed Brockfield Hall in the 1800s. Known for his public and private buildings exhibiting Greek Revival features, Atkinson's creations often showcase columns, pediments, and symmetrical designs, reflecting ancient Greek proportions and aesthetics.

Built in the hinterland of prosperous towns in the Georgian and Victorian periods, Brockfield Hall was the first country house designed by Atkinson. Benjamin Preston Agar, a successful merchant and professional in York, commissioned the construction of the house in 1804 and moved in by 1807. Agar's maternal grandfather had built Stockton Hall, and Agar created Brockfield Hall as a new 'mansion house' commensurate with his rank as a country gentleman.

After World War II, Brockfield Hall was run down and empty. However, in 1951, it was purchased by Lord Martin Fitzalan Howard. Following his death in 2003, the hall was inherited by his daughter Clare, who married Simon Wood. In the years that followed, the couple undertook an extensive restoration program, which included converting the subsidiary service wing into an independent flat and repairing the main house.

The recent restoration of Brockfield Hall was done with judgement and taste, maintaining an established patina and using old materials. A sustainable heating system was installed, with a biomass boiler housed in one of the outbuildings. Bathrooms were installed on the upper floor, and coal-fired central heating was installed due to the nearby nationalized Yorkshire coal field.

The contents of Brockfield Hall are a happy mix of inherited and recent acquisitions. Portraits of the Stapletons of Wighill, Yorkshire cadets of Lord Martin's mother's family, the Stapletons of Carlton, adorn the walls. The principal bedroom features a yellow-ground De Gournay wallpaper and an 18th-century canopy. Simon Wood also moved the kitchen to a more spacious location in the main house and hung the house with his extensive collection of paintings by the Staithes Group.

In 2020, Charlie Wood, the son of Clare and Simon Wood, moved into Brockfield Hall. The restoration project not only preserved the historical integrity of the building but also breathed new life into it, making it a testament to the enduring beauty of late Georgian architecture.

1. Brockfield Hall, originally designed by Peter Atkinson in the 1800s, showcases a rich blend of fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden elements, mirroring the Greek Revival taste that was popular in Georgian and Victorian periods.
2. For those with an interest in education-and-self-development, learning about Brockfield Hall's history offers valuable insights into the lifestyle and architectural trends of the early 19th century.
3. meals the food-and-drink lovers might enjoy hearing about the recent installation of a sustainable heating system in Brockfield Hall, with a biomass boiler housed in one of the outbuildings.
4. If you're planning a travel to the York area, Brockfield Hall could be an exciting addition to your itinerary, offering a glimmer into the sports and general-news of the time through its historic houses and associated figures like Benjamin Preston Agar.
5. In the entertainment world, Brockfield Hall could serve as a charming backdrop for various film or documentary projects, showcasing its elegant late Georgian design and the ongoing dedication to its preservation by successive generations, such as Charlie Wood who currently resides there.

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