The History of Headlam... - 31st Jul 2004

In the 16th Century the Headlam estate came into the possession of the Birbeck family, originally of Hornby in Cumberland, through the marriage of Thomas Birbeck into the Lancaster family of Stockbridge, Westmorland.

The second son of Thomas, Henry "of Headlam" soon inherited the new family estate. He married Anne, daughter of Henry Brackenbury of Selaby, and the two of them were responsible for the construction of Headlam Hall at the turn of 17th Century. As a gift to his wife, Henry had an elaborate oak fireplace installed in the main hall with the Birbeck coat of arms displayed in the centre of the mantle. This feature still stands in pride of place to this very day.

The descent of the Birbeck family thereafter was through the female line. By the mid 18th Century the property came into the possession of Lawrence Brockett as a result of his marriage to Anne, the great, great granddaughter of Henry and Anne Birbeck.

The Hall then remained with the Brockett family for the next century and a half. The best known member of the Brocketts was the youngest of Lawrence and Anne's five sons, also called Lawrence. He became Regus Professor of Modern History at Cambridge by the age of 38, but died five years later after falling from his horse. He was buried at Gainford by torchlight, probably the church's last nocturnal burial.

The Brocketts were responsible for the alterations and re-building of the south wing and west elevation during the Georgian period. The addition of the north wing as a servants quarters in 1900 utilised stone and material from the demolition of an older dwelling to the east of the courtyard.

In 1912 the property was acquired by Lord and Lady Gainford (J.A Pease, M.P.), where they lived until their deaths in the early 1940's.

The Hall then belonged to the Stobart family up until 1977 when it was acquired by it's present owners, the Robinson family, who have farmed at Headlam for four generations.

OUR ACCOMMODATION:

Our country house hotel accommodation comprises of thirty four en-suite bedrooms, all furnished to a high and traditional standard. Our on going commitment to maintaining our standards and raising them where possible means that all bedrooms benefit from up-to-date facilities and decor.

They also enjoy today's in-room necessities such as satellite television, direct dial telephones / modem points, trouser presses and tea / coffee making facilities.

The accommodation is made up of two suites, seven deluxe four-poster rooms, three deluxe twin rooms, fifteen classic doubles, three classic twins and four family rooms.

Breakfast can be enjoyed in the privacy of your room or in the restaurant where a full English and Continental fare is included.

All bedrooms are non smoking.

Related Links

• http://www.headlamhall.co.uk

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